Church of Saint Giles

The Church of Saint Giles is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Jaroslavice, in the Znojmo District of the South Moravian Region, Czech Republic. The building visitors see today dates from 1788-1792, though the parish itself has a much older history, first documented as early as 1325. The church stands close to Jaroslavice Castle, and the two sites together form a natural pairing for anyone exploring this stretch of the Czech-Austrian borderland.

What is the history behind the church?

Records place a functioning parish in Jaroslavice back to the medieval period, with the earliest mention dating to 1325. Like many communities across Moravia, the parish followed the region's turbulent religious shifts: from the mid-16th century it turned Lutheran, a common development as local nobility and townspeople across Moravia embraced the Reformation. A return to Catholicism followed in 1609, notably before the Thirty Years' War intensified the Counter-Reformation elsewhere in the region. The church building standing today, however, is not medieval — it was constructed at the end of the 18th century, between 1788 and 1792, most likely replacing an earlier structure on the same site.

What can you see around the church?

The church's strongest draw is its immediate proximity to Jaroslavice Castle, a former noble residence that, together with the church, forms the historic core of the village. Walking between the two buildings gives a clear sense of the layout typical of a Moravian village, where the parish church and the manor house have long stood as the twin anchors of local life. The church's architecture reflects the plain, functional style common to sacred buildings erected in Moravia at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries — a period shaped by the church reforms of Emperor Joseph II, which favored restrained, practical design over elaborate ornamentation.

How do you get to the church in Jaroslavice?

Jaroslavice sits in the Znojmo District, close to the Austrian border, within the South Moravian Region. The area is easily reached from Poland via Brno or Znojmo, the latter being the largest nearby town and a natural base for exploring smaller villages in the district. The church stands in the center of the village, so once you reach Jaroslavice you can find it on foot, using the adjacent castle as a landmark.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the church's character as a small rural parish church, spring and summer are the best seasons to visit, allowing time to combine a stop here with a longer walk around the village and a visit to the nearby castle. Sitting off the main tourist routes, Jaroslavice offers a quiet, uncrowded alternative to the busier towns of the region.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Church of Saint Giles in Jaroslavice? The current building dates from 1788-1792, but the parish itself is first documented in 1325, meaning a Christian community has existed at this site since the medieval period, even though the surviving architecture is much younger.

Was the church always Catholic? No. From the mid-16th century the parish turned Lutheran, following a pattern common across Moravia during the Reformation. It returned to Catholicism in 1609.

What else is nearby? Jaroslavice Castle stands right next to the church, and together the two buildings form the historic center of the village.

How do you get to Jaroslavice? The village lies in the Znojmo District of the South Moravian Region, near the Austrian border. The easiest approach is via Znojmo or Brno, with local roads connecting onward to the border area.