Church of Saints John

The Church of the Holy Johns (Church of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist) stands in the historic core of Brno-Bystrc, a district in the northwestern part of Brno by the Brno Reservoir. It is one of the oldest surviving religious buildings in this part of the city and a natural landmark for anyone walking around the reservoir shore.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church sits on náměstí 28. dubna (28th April Square), the main square of old Bystrc — once an independent village later absorbed into Brno. The square is lined with buildings from the historic settlement core, and the church together with its surroundings is protected as a cultural monument. It still serves as an active parish church, so visits are best planned around service times.

How do you get there?

Bystrc lies on a tram line running from central Brno out toward the reservoir, so the tram is the easiest way in — from the stop it's a short walk into the district to náměstí 28. dubna. Many visitors combine the church with a walk or boat trip on the nearby Brno Reservoir, which is within easy reach on foot.

How old is the building?

The church's origins probably go back to the first half of the 13th century — part of the western perimeter wall of the main nave survives from that period. Its first written mention, however, only dates from 1531, which is typical of many rural Moravian churches whose buildings long predate their appearance in surviving records.

In 1592 a bell cast by the bell-founder Matyáš of Velké Meziříčí was hung in the tower, and the tower itself was built to house it. The 19th century brought further major changes: in 1843 the nave was extended eastward after the old chancel was demolished and a new one built, in 1862 the tower was raised, and a comprehensive reconstruction completed in 1897 gave the church its present form.

What will you see on site?

Architecturally, the church has a Romanesque core enriched with early Baroque elements, but its overall look owes most to the Romantic-style rebuilding of the late 19th century, which unified the structure and gave it the rather austere, tower-topped silhouette visible from a distance above Bystrc's rooftops. The tower, though raised in the 19th century, still houses the bell dating back to the late 16th century. The church stands among older buildings around the square, giving visitors a sense of what the center of the former village looked like before it became part of Brno.

Who is this stop for?

It's a good addition to a Brno itinerary for travelers looking beyond the city center — combining a piece of religious history with a nearby waterside walk. Visit during daylight hours when the church and square are best seen, then continue on toward the reservoir promenade.

Frequently asked questions

What is the church called in Czech? Kostel svatého Jana Křtitele a svatého Jana Evangelisty, commonly called kostel svatých Janů (Church of the Holy Johns).

Is this the same church as the Church of the Holy Johns in central Brno? No. Central Brno has a separate former Minorite monastery church under the same dedication — the church described here stands in Bystrc, several kilometers away, with its own distinct history.

Can visitors go inside? As an active parish church, access depends on service and opening hours — it's best to check locally or with the parish.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The Brno Reservoir, with boat trips available, and a walk around the historic square of Bystrc at náměstí 28. dubna.