Discover Zapy: Baroque Church and Local History

Zapy brings together a settlement history spanning more than 950 years, 18th-century church architecture, and other local points of interest. One highlight is the Church of St. James the Greater; other attractions include the Teletník Arena and a cycling path project planned to connect with Prague. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Zapy, these different highlights can help you choose a destination that suits your interests.

Church of St. James the Greater

The present-day church was rebuilt from the ground up in 1750, following plans by Kilian Ignác Dientzenhofer, in an ornate Baroque style. The main altar features Filip Leutner’s 1769 painting “The Beheading of Saint James.” The Baroque pulpit depicts, in relief, episodes from the life of Saint James the Greater and the journey of his relics from Palestine to Santiago de Compostela. The altarpiece and pulpit thus represent two distinct forms of imagery: a painting on the main altar and narrative reliefs on the pulpit.

The church complex is protected as a historic monument. In addition to the church, the protected features include the enclosing wall, the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, the staircase, and the enclosed plots within the grounds. The protection therefore extends beyond the church building itself.

Bell Tower and Cemetery

The church is accompanied by a massive, two-story stone bell tower dating from the 16th century, in a Gothic-Renaissance style. It therefore differs in both period and style from the Baroque church, which was rebuilt in the 18th century. Two of the original three bells have survived: the large Virgin Mary bell and the smaller Evangelist bell.

A Baroque mortuary chapel with an ossuary, built around the middle of the 18th century, stands in a corner of the cemetery. The cemetery also contains valuable gravestones from the 18th century and the middle of the 19th century. Together with the bell tower, they offer a distinct perspective on the history of the church grounds, extending beyond the church’s furnishings.

Local History and Archaeological Connections

Zapy’s history goes back more than 950 years. The village developed from four formerly separate settlements: Zápy, Zípce, Ostrov, and Stránka. The area around the church is also archaeologically significant and is classified as a ÚAN I archaeological site. Its historical periods include prehistoric agriculture, the Knovíz culture, the Middle Ages, and the modern era. This means local history can be viewed not only through the Baroque church, but also within a much longer historical context.

Sports and Practical Planning

According to an announcement from autumn 2024, visitors to the Teletník Arena could use a garden area, a snack stand, a grandstand, a pergola, and a children’s playground. Even when no games were taking place, they could sit there and enjoy refreshments. The announcement also mentioned a beach volleyball court and another multipurpose artificial turf field for nohejbal, volleyball, and floorball. Since this information dates from autumn 2024, check which facilities are currently available before visiting.

The 2.9 km Zeleneč–Lázně Toušeň cycling path project lies within the cadastral areas of Zápy and Lázně Toušeň. It was intended to connect the residents of Lázně Toušeň, Zápy, and Zeleneč with Prague. If you are considering the project for a specific cycling trip, check the current route, surface, and signage beforehand.

A Dated Occasion to Visit

On May 23, 2025, the Church of St. James the Elder in Zápy was open to visitors from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. as part of the traditional Noc kostelů (Church Night). On this occasion, visitors could also traditionally tour the bell tower and mortuary chapel. If you are planning to attend a future event, check the event details again.

Discover more destinations: Tehov, Herink, Zvánovice, Mratín, Hlavenec, Stirin, Dobřejovice, Nove Jirny.

For the broader travel guide: Okres Praha-Východ.