Chvalšiny – Church of St. Mary Magdalene
The Church of St. Mary Magdalene stands approximately in the centre of the elongated village square in Chvalšiny, along the historic road connecting Český Krumlov and Prachatice.
Thanks to remarkable discoveries made by restorers in the 1990s, during the uncovering and restoration of the church's wall paintings, we now know much more about its history than was previously known.
The present church is actually the second religious building on this site, as an earlier, smaller church dedicated to the same saint once stood here.
The current church was built in the Late Gothic style between 1487 and 1507, as evidenced by several dates preserved in different parts of the nave. Some construction and decorative work continued until 1514.
During restoration work, a large wall painting depicting the Last Judgement was discovered above the chancel arch. The painting was created in 1514 by Master Jakub Pecka, whose name and the date are recorded beside the artwork.
Additional medieval wall paintings were also uncovered around the first vault keystone in the nave, which is shaped like a crown of thorns.