Church of Saint Nicholas, Gothic and Baroque religious monument in Benešov, Czech Republic

The Church of Saint Nicholas stands on the Karlov hill in Benešov as an early Gothic basilica with three naves and a polygonal presbytery, built in the 13th century. Its west facade carries a mosaic of Saint Nicholas from 1938, and the main west entrance is framed by a pointed portal. A Renaissance porch shelters the south entrance, and a Baroque statue of Saint John of Nepomuk stands on the south side.

Consecration is traditionally dated to 1070, but the present early Gothic basilica with three naves dates from the 13th century. After a fire in 1420 it was rebuilt in Late Gothic style and its western part was shortened; a partial reconstruction followed in 1583. After a second burning in 1648, restoration came only in 1696, and repairs in 1898, 1902 and 1914 left the form unchanged.

The church keeps a late-Gothic painting of the Assumpta, a standing Madonna crowned as Assumpta holding the Christ Child with an apple and a sceptre, framed by a floral border; it was probably made before 1500 under Jaroslav of Šternberk. Inside, rococo wall paintings form a cycle of 24 scenes from the life of St Clement by I. Raab, and statues are attributed to M. B. Braun.

The building is open to visitors and offers guided tours that explain the architectural features. It is best to check beforehand whether a guided tour is available or if you can only view the interior independently.

The separate Horní zvonice (Upper Bell Tower) beside the church holds a single Gothic bell cast in 1322, not a set of bells. It stands to the right when the church is viewed from the town, and the parish house is a two-storey building west of the church.