Church of Saint John the Baptist

The Church of Saint John the Baptist in Konice is the oldest preserved monument in this small Moravian town. It stands at the town's center, and despite its modest scale, its history reaches back further than most of the buildings around it.

How old is the church?

The exact age of the church is uncertain, since no definitive source records its construction date. Historians rely mainly on the bell hanging in the tower, which bears the year 1560 — the main reference point used to estimate the building's age, even though the structure itself may predate the bell.

What architectural style does the church represent?

The building is late Gothic in style. This Gothic origin is what sets it apart from the newer buildings surrounding it in Konice — despite later renovations, it has retained the restrained, characteristic look of sacred architecture from that period.

When was the church rebuilt?

The church underwent two significant renovations: in 1686 and in 1748. Both reshaped its current appearance, though without erasing its underlying Gothic character. This is a common fate for many Central European churches — successive generations adapted them to the needs and tastes of their time without demolishing the older fabric beneath.

What is worth seeing above the entrance?

The most valuable feature of the church is a cartouche placed above the entrance portal. It bears the coat of arms of the Hradisko Monastery near Olomouc, once a powerful owner of the Konice estate. The Hradisko monastery held real economic authority over the surrounding area for a long time, and the cartouche above the church entrance is a direct trace of those feudal and ecclesiastical ties.

Has the interior kept its original appearance?

Not entirely. The interior was significantly altered in the 1980s, when the building was converted for use as a funeral hall. This adaptation — typical of an era when many sacred buildings across Czechoslovakia were repurposed — left a lasting mark on the original decor. Today the church bears traces of both its centuries-long history and its 20th-century conversion.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church stands in Konice, a town in Moravia, Czech Republic, at coordinates 49.591857, 16.887378.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Konice? The exact construction date is unknown. The oldest firm reference point is the bell in the tower, dated 1560.

In what style was the church built? In the late Gothic style, despite later renovations in 1686 and 1748.

What does the cartouche above the church entrance represent? It shows the coat of arms of the Hradisko Monastery near Olomouc, the former owner of the Konice estate.

Does the church still serve a religious function today? Its interior was converted into a funeral hall in the 1980s, which significantly changed its original character.

Is this the oldest monument in Konice? Yes, it is considered the oldest preserved monument in the town.