Church of Saint Cunigunde

The Church of Saint Cunigunde stands on Vratislavovo náměstí, the main square of Nové Město na Moravě, and is the oldest architectural monument in town. It functions as the local parish church, belonging to the Žďár deanery of the Diocese of Brno, and is protected as a cultural heritage monument of the Czech Republic.

How old is the building, really?

The core of the church is a Gothic presbytery dating back to the 14th century — by far the oldest surviving section. The nave wasn't added until the mid-15th century, meaning the building took shape over more than a hundred years rather than as a single construction campaign. A bell tower followed in 1499, and in 1592 that structure was rebuilt into a proper church tower. Reading the dates side by side, you get a sense of a building that grew in stages, each generation adding its own layer.

What did the 1723 fire change?

A major fire swept through the town in 1723, and the church did not escape it. The rebuilding wasn't immediate: only sixteen years later, around 1739, a new sacristy was added on the south side, while the space on the north side was converted into what's known as the Black Chapel. The name itself is worth asking about on site — parish guides tend to have a story ready for visitors curious about it.

What makes the facade stand out?

The single most striking feature of the church is its sgraffito-covered facade. It was created between 1928 and 1929 by academic painter Karel Němec, drawing on scenes from the Old and New Testament. The decoration covers nearly the entire exterior — roughly 520 square meters — making it one of the larger interwar sgraffito projects in the Vysočina region. Walking around the building lets you follow how the individual biblical scenes are arranged into a continuous visual narrative across the walls.

Who is buried beneath the church?

A crypt beneath the presbytery holds the remains of members of the Dubský and Kratzer families, local noble houses. It's a reminder that for centuries the church served not only as a spiritual center but also as a social one, closely tied to the town's ruling families.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? On Vratislavovo náměstí, the main square of Nové Město na Moravě, right in the town center, so it's easy to find on foot.

Is it really the oldest monument in town? Yes — sources identify it as the oldest surviving architectural monument in Nové Město na Moravě, anchored by a Gothic presbytery from the 14th century.

What's the main thing to look at besides the interior? The facade sgraffito by Karel Němec from 1928–1929, which covers almost the entire exterior with biblical scenes — an unusually large-scale decoration for the region.

Is the church still an active parish today? Yes, it remains the parish church of the Žďár deanery within the Diocese of Brno and continues to serve the local congregation.