Church of Saint John the Baptist

The Church of Saint John the Baptist is a Baroque parish church standing on the main square of Lysá nad Labem, a Czech town best known for its chateau and the gardens surrounding it. The church's 55-metre tower is visible from almost anywhere in town and has been its most recognizable landmark for three centuries.

Where exactly does the church stand?

The building occupies the northwestern part of náměstí Bedřicha Hrozného, a square named after a linguist born in Lysá who was the first to decipher the Hittite language. The address is náměstí Bedřicha Hrozného 7, and the church is dedicated to the town's patron, Saint John the Baptist. Its tall, slender tower makes it impossible to confuse with any other building nearby.

How long did construction take, and who designed it?

The current church was built in the first half of the 18th century on the site of an earlier Gothic church carrying the same dedication. The design came from František Maxmilián Kaňka, one of the leading architects of Czech Baroque. Construction began in 1719, but ran into serious trouble by 1722 and stalled for years. Work only resumed in 1739, with the church finally completed in 1740 — meaning the whole project stretched across more than two decades.

What is worth seeing inside?

A handful of details reward a closer look once inside. The main altar is centred on a painting of the Baptism of Christ, a scene that directly echoes the church's dedication. The pulpit dates to 1774, added well after the building itself was finished, as part of later furnishing work. Inside the nave stands a marble tomb of general Jan Špork, dated 1680 — older than the church building itself, and one of its oldest surviving features.

What surrounds the church?

A boundary wall encircles the church, lined with Baroque statues of saints from the 17th and 18th centuries. These figures were not carved for this spot originally — they were moved here after nearby chapels and hermitages around Lysá nad Labem were abandoned or torn down, saving the sculptures from being lost. Today they form a coherent ensemble around the church and are a small attraction in their own right for visitors interested in Baroque religious sculpture.

Is it worth combining with other sights in town?

Since the church sits right in the centre of Lysá nad Labem, it fits naturally into a walk that also leads toward the town's chateau and its extensive gardens, the sights the town is best known for. Náměstí Bedřicha Hrozného, where the church stands, makes a convenient starting point for exploring further.

Frequently asked questions

What is the church's full name? Its full name is the Church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, commonly shortened to the Church of Saint John the Baptist.

Who designed the church? It was designed by František Maxmilián Kaňka, a noted architect of Czech Baroque known for numerous church and palace commissions across the Czech lands.

How long did the building take to complete? Construction started in 1719, stalled in 1722, resumed only in 1739, and was finished in 1740.

Are there any notable tombs inside? Yes — the nave contains the marble tomb of general Jan Špork, dated 1680.

Where do the statues around the church come from? The Baroque statues of saints lining the boundary wall were brought here from nearby chapels and hermitages that were later abandoned, in the area around Lysá nad Labem.