Church of Saint Martin (Kralice nad Oslavou)

The Church of Saint Martin stands in the center of the village of Kralice nad Oslavou, on Martinská street, right next to the Kralice Bible Memorial. It is a small, single-nave church with a pyramidal tower at the front, set within a fenced cemetery — one of the oldest sacred buildings in the region.

What is the history of the church?

Sources disagree on the exact dating of the building. Some researchers point to a late Romanesque origin, dating the church to around 1210. Other accounts suggest the original structure was built as early as the 11th century, with a nave, presbytery, and tower added two centuries later. Regardless of the precise chronology, the church ranks among the oldest sacred buildings in the Vysočina region.

A defining moment in its history came with a fire in 1856, which destroyed the wooden upper part of the tower. The burnt structure was replaced with a brick superstructure — the form the tower still has today.

What can visitors see inside?

The interior preserves rare wall paintings, though only a small portion has survived. Recognizable motifs include a scene of the Coronation of the Virgin Mary, a figure of a church beadle, and a scene referencing the legend of Saint Martin. Within the churchyard stands a medieval stone baptismal font.

Is the church connected to the Kralice Bible?

Kralice nad Oslavou is inseparably linked to the Unity of the Brethren, who printed the famous Kralice Bible here in the 16th century. The Church of Saint Martin stands directly next to the memorial dedicated to that event, making the area a natural stop for visitors following the trail of the Bohemian Brethren — though the church itself served as a branch church, not directly connected to the Brethren's printing workshop.

Which parish does the church belong to?

The Church of Saint Martin is a branch church of the Roman Catholic parish of Jinošov. Together with the adjacent tower, it is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? On Martinská street, in the center of Kralice nad Oslavou, within a fenced churchyard.

How old is the building? Sources vary — from an early medieval core dating to the 11th century to a late Romanesque expansion around 1210.

What happened to the church tower? In 1856 a fire destroyed its wooden section, which was replaced with a brick superstructure.

Are there historic paintings inside the church? Yes, though only fragments survive — including a Coronation of the Virgin Mary scene and a motif from the legend of Saint Martin.

Is the church legally protected? Yes, together with the neighboring tower it is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.