Church of Saint Clemens, Catholic church in Velké Hydčice, Czech Republic.
The Church of Saint Clemens is a Catholic church building located in Velké Hydčice, situated on elevated ground in the Plzeň Region. The structure displays traditional architectural features characteristic of religious buildings throughout this area.
A wooden shrine, said to be the ninth in Bohemia and linked to Saint Methodius, preceded the present church, probably built alongside Prácheň Castle. In the first quarter of the 14th century a small Early Gothic stone church replaced it. The nave was rebuilt in the Baroque period, the south porch added in 1859, and further work carried out in 1938–1940.
The church is dedicated to Saint Clement and, according to legend, was to be consecrated by Saint Methodius, who passed through the area with Saint Gorazd. A local tale tells of a cursed bell: when the poor widow of a tenant was forced to contribute to its casting, she cursed it and it sank into the ground, never to be found.
The church is situated within the cemetery grounds of Velké Hydčice and is accessible during regular worship services. Visitors should check local service schedules to plan their visit effectively.
A broom once hung inside the church as a warning to disobedient children, tied to a legend about a spoiled boy from Velké Hydčice who beat his mother and died; it vanished at an unknown time. The cemetery also holds the graves of writer Josef Pavel and regional historian Karel Němec.
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