Church of Holy Trinity, Horní Dunajovice

The Church of the Holy Trinity in Horní Dunajovice is a small Roman Catholic parish church in the Znojmo district of South Moravia, best known for its dramatically leaning tower — a feature that has earned the village the nickname "the South Moravian Pisa." It's an unusual stop for travelers exploring the Czech countryside, not for grand interiors but for the sheer tilt of its silhouette, visible long before you reach the village center.

Why does the tower lean?

The first church on this site was built in 1540. It didn't survive the turmoil of the Thirty Years' War: the building was torn down in 1622, and its ruins stood abandoned for decades afterward. Reconstruction only came in 1702, when the ruin was rebuilt and the site regained its religious function. The real transformation happened in 1783, when the church underwent a major expansion and rebuild — the same year it was formally consecrated to the Holy Trinity, giving it the dedication it carries today. In 1818 the nave received a new roof. It was during these centuries of repair and rebuilding that the tower gradually developed its pronounced tilt, which today exceeds one meter of deviation from vertical — reportedly making it the most inclined church tower in the Czech Republic.

What does the building look like?

The church follows a single-nave layout with a set-back sanctuary — a narrower chancel recessed from the main body of the nave. The sanctuary is covered by a cross vault that terminates in a lunette vault on its eastern side. The distinctive polygonal tower is attached to the building's northern corner, and it's this tower — visible from almost anywhere in the village — that draws the eye with its obvious lean. A rectangular nave and modest decoration give the building the plain, rural character typical of parish churches in this part of South Moravia.

Is it still an active church?

Yes. The building belongs to the Roman Catholic Parish of Horní Dunajovice and continues to hold regular services, customarily on Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. The church is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, recognizing its historical and architectural value, though day to day it remains first and foremost a working place of worship for the local community.

How long should a visit take?

Given its modest size, about half an hour is enough to see the exterior and walk around the building. The tilt is best appreciated from several different angles around the churchyard — it's from the side that the lean truly becomes apparent.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the church tower leaning? The tower developed its tilt over the building's turbulent history, which includes destruction during the Thirty Years' War, reconstruction in 1702, and a major rebuild in 1783. Today the lean exceeds one meter from vertical, reportedly making it the most inclined church tower in the Czech Republic.

Why is it dedicated to the Holy Trinity? The church received its formal consecration to the Holy Trinity in 1783, during the major expansion and rebuilding that followed its earlier destruction and reconstruction from ruins.

Are services still held here? Yes, it functions as an active parish church with a regular schedule of Sunday and Wednesday services.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

How long does a visit take? Around 30 minutes is typical, mainly to view the church's exterior and its distinctive leaning tower.