Church of Assumption of Mary in Kytín, Religious monument in Kytín, Czech Republic.
The Church of the Assumption of Mary stands on the village green of Kytín beside a pond, enclosed with a small cemetery by a perimeter wall. The originally Gothic building was later baroquified; entry is through the front tower added in 1866. The rectangular nave and three-sided presbytery have flat ceilings, while the rectangular sacristy is vaulted with barrel vaults.
The church stood here by the early 14th century, and a parish was established in 1352. After 1674 the Gothic building was remodelled in Baroque style, and in 1866 it was extended with a front tower. It was known as a pilgrimage site, with processions still arriving in the 19th century for the healing spring and a Marian image now kept in the chapel at Malá Svatá Hora. Repairs continued through the 20th century; it was burgled in 1993.
The village and its spring are tied to a legend: a lady of Korutany from a nearby fortress built a chapel over the spring for her blind son, who washed in the water and regained his sight; the first thing he saw was "kytí", giving Kytín its name. The spring behind the church, considered healing for eye ailments, has been venerated for over 500 years and was renovated and blessed in 2011 for the village's 690th anniversary. The church was a pilgrimage site with processions still in the 19th century, drawn by the spring and a Marian image now kept in the chapel at Malá Svatá Hora.
The building sits in a rural village and is best reached by local roads leading through the area. Visitors should be aware that religious services are held at set times and entry to the church space should be respectful.
The spring behind the church, whose water is held to cure eye ailments, has been venerated for over 500 years. A legend ties it to the founding of Kytín: a lady from a nearby fortress built a chapel over the spring, and her blind son regained his sight after praying and washing there.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,814 contributors worldwide.