Church of Saint Wenceslaus

The Church of Saint Wenceslaus stands in the Moravian town of Tovačov, its slender tower rising 47 metres above the rooftops and marking the town's skyline since the late 18th century. Although the current building dates from the Baroque era, the church's roots reach back to the Middle Ages, and beneath its floor lies the burial crypt of the noble families who once ruled Tovačov Castle.

How old is the church in Tovačov?

The first written record of a church dedicated to Saint Wenceslaus on this site dates back to 1359, when a Gothic building stood here. That earlier church remained in place for centuries until it was demolished in 1786. Construction of a new church began that same year, when the foundations were laid for the building that, largely unchanged, still stands today.

Who commissioned the present Baroque church?

The Baroque church was built between 1788 and 1793. The project was commissioned by the counts of Kuhnburg, owners of the Tovačov estate, while the construction work itself was overseen by the master builders J. Herburger and F. Schwarz. The result is a single-nave church that has survived in essentially its original form for more than two centuries.

What does the church's architecture look like?

The building follows a restrained Baroque design: a single nave paired with a 47-metre tower that makes the church one of the tallest structures in the area. One detail that stands out to visitors is the portal on the church's northern side — its form departs from typical regional Baroque conventions, giving it an almost exotic appearance compared to the rest of the building.

What lies in the crypt beneath the church?

Underneath the church floor is the burial crypt of the lords of Tovačov Castle, holding the remains of members of the Salm and Kühnburg families, who were linked to the town and its castle for generations. The crypt is direct physical evidence of the close ties between the church and the local aristocracy that funded its construction and upkeep.

Where is the famous Tovačov Madonna today?

For centuries the church held a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary known as the Tovačov Madonna, carved in the 14th century — making it older than the church building itself. For safety reasons, the statue was removed in 1998 and placed in the depository of the Archdiocese of Olomouc, where it remains. For generations, this carving was the church's most treasured object.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Tovačov church dedicated to? The church is dedicated to Saint Wenceslaus, a dedication that already applied to the Gothic predecessor first recorded in 1359.

When was the current church built? The building standing today was constructed between 1788 and 1793 in the Baroque style, after the older Gothic church was torn down.

How tall is the church tower? The tower reaches 47 metres, making it one of the most recognisable features of the Tovačov skyline.

Can visitors see the Tovačov Madonna inside the church? No — since 1998, the 14th-century carving has been kept in the depository of the Archdiocese of Olomouc, away from the church building.

Who is buried in the crypt beneath the church? The crypt holds members of the Salm and Kühnburg families, the former lords of Tovačov Castle.