Church of Saint Martin

The Church of Saint Martin in Buchlovice is a historic parish church in Moravia, in the Zlín Region, which together with the nearby Baroque chateau forms the most recognisable landmark of the village. It stands at the heart of Buchlovice, right beside the rectory, and has served as the local parish church for nearly four centuries.

How old is the parish of Buchlovice?

The parish itself dates back to the 13th century, though the current stone church is considerably younger. The early Baroque building seen today was constructed between 1640 and 1643 on the site of an older structure and was consecrated in 1644 on behalf of the Diocese of Olomouc. Despite later modifications, this 17th-century building is still the one standing on the church square today.

Who financed the present church?

The construction was funded by Milota of Zástřizl, a member of the noble family that administered the Buchlovice estate at the time. Building the church was part of a broader effort by this family to develop the village, and traces of their patronage — carved heraldic tombstones — can still be seen inside the church.

How has the church's architecture changed over time?

The building began as a single-nave church covered with a barrel vault, a common and modest design for early Baroque parish churches. It was not until the 20th century that a transverse nave, or transept, was added, based on a design by architect Dominik Fey of Uherské Hradiště. This addition gave the church a more prominent cross-shaped floor plan while preserving the original chancel and tower.

The tower itself, set into the west facade, originally carried a pyramidal spire. In 1806 this was replaced with the distinctive onion-shaped dome that still crowns the tower today, now clad in copper sheeting. It remains the church's most recognisable feature, visible above the rooftops of Buchlovice from a considerable distance.

What is worth seeing inside?

Inside, two side altars are dedicated to the Virgin Mary and to Saint John of Nepomuk, a saint especially venerated across the historic Czech lands. Set into the walls of the main nave are stone tombstones bearing the coats of arms of the families who once ruled over Buchlovice: the Zástřizls and the Petřvalds. Together with the church building itself, these tombstones are a lasting record of the local nobility's role in shaping the village.

The tower still holds its four original bells — a notable survival, since church bells across Central Europe were routinely confiscated and melted down for metal during both world wars. The fact that Buchlovice's complete set of bells survived both conflicts unchanged makes it a rarity among rural churches in the region.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church stands in the centre of Buchlovice, directly adjoining the rectory and the park surrounding Buchlovice Chateau, one of the most visited Baroque residences in Moravia. Because the two landmarks sit so close together, it takes only a few minutes to walk from the church to the gates of the chateau park, making the area a natural starting point for exploring the village.

Frequently asked questions

Can the Church of Saint Martin be visited? As an active parish church, it is not always open to visitors outside of services. It is worth checking the current Mass schedule of the Buchlovice parish before planning a visit.

Is the church connected to Buchlovice Chateau? The two sit next to each other and together form the historic core of the village, though they are administered separately — the church as part of the parish, and the chateau as a separate heritage site.

How old is the church building? The parish dates from the 13th century, while the current church building was constructed between 1640 and 1643, making it an early Baroque structure nearly four centuries old.

What is the church's most distinctive feature? Its tower, topped with an onion dome added in 1806 and visible above the village rooftops, along with its original set of four bells, which survived both world wars intact.