Church of Saint James the Greater

The Church of Saint James the Greater stands at the heart of the village of Konice, part of Znojmo in South Moravia, just a few kilometers from the Austrian border. It's the kind of stop easy to miss on a typical itinerary, yet its stone Neo-Gothic body is surprisingly large for such a small village and carries more than a century of history tied to a fire that destroyed its predecessor.

How do you get to the church in Konice?

Konice sits on the eastern edge of Znojmo, a short drive from the historic town center and Znojmo Castle. The easiest way to reach it is by car or a local bus from Znojmo's train station — the church stands right on the village's main square, so it's hard to miss once you arrive. For visitors exploring the area around Znojmo on foot or by bike, it's a natural stop on routes connecting villages along the Dyje river valley.

What's the history behind the building?

A parish existed in Konice as early as the 14th century, but it stopped functioning independently in 1630, after which the village was administered from the parish in Miroslav for over a century. Parish life was only restored in 1784. The older church that had served the village earlier burned down in 1808 and was judged too damaged and too small to rebuild in its original form. The much larger church seen today was built between 1908 and 1909 and was consecrated on 3 October 1909 by Bishop Pavel Huyn. In 2009, residents held a pilgrimage to mark the building's hundredth anniversary.

What will you see on site?

The church is an imposing stone building in the Neo-Gothic style, recognizable by its tall, pointed windows and vertical lines that give the stone mass a sense of lightness despite its solid construction. Three bells hang in the tower, one of them cast in 1812 — meaning it predates the current building and survived from the earlier church. The church is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic under registration number 48808/7-8207, confirming its architectural and historical value within the region.

Who should visit?

This is a stop for travelers who enjoy the less obvious corners of the Znojmo region — fans of sacred architecture, local parish history, or anyone spending several days in the area who wants to see something beyond Znojmo's main attractions. The church has no significant tourist infrastructure built around it, so it's best treated as an addition to a tour of the surrounding villages rather than a destination in its own right.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Church of Saint James the Greater located? In the center of the village of Konice, part of the town of Znojmo in South Moravia, close to the Austrian border.

When was the current church building constructed? It was built between 1908 and 1909 and consecrated on 3 October 1909. It replaced an older church destroyed by fire in 1808.

What architectural style is the church built in? Neo-Gothic, built of stone — the building stands out for its scale and tall, pointed architecture given the size of the village.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic under registration number 48808/7-8207.