Church of Saint John the Baptist, Dvůr Králové nad Labem

The Church of Saint John the Baptist is a Gothic church standing in the centre of Dvůr Králové nad Labem, in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic, closely tied to the very founding and name of the town. Its tall tower is visible from far away and has served as the town's landmark for centuries.

Where does the town's name come from, and who founded the church?

The present Gothic church was built between 1399 and 1400 on the site of an older Romanesque basilica. Its founder was Sofia of Bavaria, wife of King Wenceslaus IV, who was crowned queen in 1400. Local tradition links her to the town's name — Dvůr Králové, meaning "the Queen's Court." Few sources survive from the earlier Romanesque building, so details of the church's earliest history remain scarce.

How did the church change over the centuries?

The church was rebuilt in the 15th century, and in 1644 a tower was added, initially reaching only the height of the nave's cornice. In the late 19th century it underwent a purist restoration designed by architect František Schmoranz, and in 1894 the tower was raised to its current height of 64 metres, making it one of the tallest vantage points in town today.

The church's dedication also changed over time: between 1411 and 1773 it was consecrated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria. On 5 September 1773, the auxiliary bishop of the Hradec Králové diocese, Matouš František Chorinský z Ledské, reconsecrated the church, restoring the dedication to Saint John the Baptist that it still bears today.

What is hidden in the church tower?

The tower earned a place in Czech cultural history through an event of 16 September 1817: it was there that the so-called Dvůr Králové Manuscript was discovered — a collection of supposedly medieval songs that reached the philologist Václav Hanka. For decades the document was regarded as a genuine relic of Old Czech literature and played a role in the Czech National Revival, before scholars proved it a forgery towards the end of the 19th century.

Three historic bells still hang in the tower, cast in 1505, 1508 and 1540, and the clock mechanism chimes every quarter hour. In the summer season, the tower and the chamber where the manuscript was found are open to visitors.

What was discovered during the 2007 restoration?

Restoration work in 2007 uncovered the original stone altar mensa surviving from the earlier Romanesque basilica. On 16 September 2007, the Bishop of Hradec Králové, Dominik Duka, consecrated it and placed inside it relics of Saint Peter the Apostle, Saint Paulinus of Nola, and the Czech patron saint Ludmila.

Practical information

The church, listed as a Czech cultural monument, stands in the centre of Dvůr Králové nad Labem and is an easy walk from the main square. The tower and manuscript chamber are open to visitors during the summer season.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Church of Saint John the Baptist built? The current Gothic building dates from 1399–1400, built on the site of an older Romanesque basilica, on the foundation of Queen Sofia of Bavaria.

Why is the church connected to the town's name? Tradition links the town's name, Dvůr Králové ("the Queen's Court"), to Sofia of Bavaria, wife of Wenceslaus IV, who founded the church and was crowned queen in 1400.

What was found in the church tower in 1817? The so-called Dvůr Králové Manuscript, a collection of supposedly old songs that reached Václav Hanka and played a role in the Czech National Revival before being proven a forgery.

How tall is the church tower? The tower, raised to its current form in 1894, stands 64 metres tall.

Can visitors climb the tower? Yes, in the summer season the tower and the manuscript chamber are open to the public.