Church of Saint Michael (Nový Přerov)

Church of Saint Michael the Archangel stands in Nový Přerov, a small village in the Břeclav district of South Moravia, right on the border with Austria. The Roman Catholic building now serves as a branch church of the Drnholec parish and is listed as a Czech cultural monument.

Why does the village carry the name "Nový" (New) Přerov?

A settlement called Přerov is first recorded in 1350, but it originally stood elsewhere — on the spot where the Alt Prerau manor now lies on the Austrian side of the border. Following the Bohemian-Hungarian wars in the second half of the 15th century, the village lay deserted for roughly a hundred years. Only around 1570 was a new settlement founded at a different site, taking the name Nový Přerov to distinguish it from the abandoned original.

How has the church building evolved over the centuries?

The site's religious history begins with a small chapel built around 1600, shortly after the village was resettled. The actual parish church replaced it in 1690. The building didn't stay static, though: a major reconstruction and expansion followed in 1746-48, and further alterations came in 1885. That layered history — chapel, Baroque-era church, 19th-century remodeling — means the structure visitors see today reflects several distinct building phases rather than a single moment in time.

What is the church's status today?

For a long time, the building served as the parish church of an independent Nový Přerov parish. That parish was dissolved in 2024, and the church now operates as a branch church under the Drnholec parish. Despite losing its independent administrative status, the building remains an active place of worship and retains its protection as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

What can visitors expect to see?

The church sits in a quiet, border corner of South Moravia, away from the region's main tourist routes — a plus for travelers looking for a slower pace. The building's exterior itself tells the story of its several construction phases, while the surrounding village is a reminder of how dramatically the region's fortunes shifted after the 15th-century wars forced its predecessor to be abandoned for a century. The area right along the Austrian border also lends itself to longer trips that combine a visit to the church with walks through the borderland countryside.

When is the best time to visit?

As an active branch church, the building's opening hours tend to follow the parish's service schedule, so it's worth keeping that in mind when planning to see the interior. Spring and summer are also the most practical seasons for exploring the surrounding border area on foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the church in Nový Přerov still a parish church? No. The independent Nový Přerov parish was dissolved in 2024, and the church now functions as a branch church of the Drnholec parish.

How old is the current church building? The present structure dates from 1690, though it was later rebuilt and expanded in 1746-48 and modified again in 1885. Before that, a chapel had stood on the same site from around 1600.

Why is the village called "Nový" (New) Přerov? Because the original Přerov settlement, first documented in 1350, stood elsewhere (now on the Austrian side of the border) and was abandoned after the Bohemian-Hungarian wars of the 15th century. A new settlement was founded at a different location around 1570.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, the building is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.