Church of Saint Lawrence

The Church of Saint Lawrence stands right in the heart of Hodonín, on Masaryk Square, in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It is the town's oldest documented place of worship and its most recognizable landmark — the tower is visible from nearly every corner of the town centre, and the building still functions as the parish church of the Hodonín Roman Catholic parish, under the Diocese of Brno.

How old is the church?

The site's religious history goes back long before the Baroque building seen today. A church likely stood here after 1200, and its existence is confirmed by a document from 1240 connected to the Tišnov convent. The medieval building was rebuilt in Gothic style in the 15th century, but by the 1660s it had fallen into such disrepair that another rebuild became necessary. Around 1686, under the rule of the Oppersdorf family, a new early Baroque church replaced it.

Where does the current building come from?

The structure visitors see today was built between 1780 and 1786 on the footprint of that earlier Baroque church, this time in late Baroque style. It's a single-nave building with an unusual north-south orientation, rather than the traditional east-facing layout, ending in a rectangular presbytery with a segmented closure. A new tower was added in 1791, standing on the east side of the nave alongside the sacristy, which has an oratory on its upper floor. The façades are articulated with pilasters, and the main entrance on the south side is topped with a triangular gable.

What is there to see inside?

Inside, the main altar is classicist in style, holding a painting of Saint Lawrence from 1841. Three marble side altars date from the 1920s, while the pulpit and baptismal font, from 1788, are original to the current building. Both the nave and the presbytery are vaulted, and the sacristy has a barrel vault. The tower houses a bell cast in 1640 and decorated with relief work, along with an angel figure from 1714 crowning the spire. In the crypt beneath the church, a Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre was installed in 1853.

Is the church a protected monument?

Yes — the Church of Saint Lawrence is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic (registration number 17465/7-2218). It underwent a major renovation in the early 1990s, and its façades were restored again in 2016, keeping the building in good condition today.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? In the centre of Hodonín, on Masaryk Square, close to the town's main sights.

Which saint is the church dedicated to? Saint Lawrence, a martyr whose image is depicted on the main altar painting.

Is this the oldest church in Hodonín? A place of worship has stood on this spot since at least the 13th century, though the current building dates from the late 18th century — it remains the town's oldest documented church, rebuilt several times over the centuries.

Which parish and diocese does it belong to? It serves as the parish church of the Hodonín Roman Catholic parish, part of the Diocese of Brno.

Can visitors go inside? As an active parish church, it is generally accessible during services and occasional public events, such as the Night of Churches.

What is the oldest surviving element of the church? The 1640 bell in the tower — older than the current building itself and the oldest surviving piece of its furnishings.