Church of Saints Peter and Paul (Hrádek)

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Hrádek is a late-Baroque parish church standing at the heart of a small village in southern Moravia, right on the border with Austria, roughly 19 km southeast of Znojmo. Although the present building dates from 1764–1767, its roots reach back to the Middle Ages — the new church was built on the site of an older one, from which a late-Gothic, square-plan tower dating to the 15th or 16th century survives. That tower, clearly different in style from the rest of the structure, is the first thing that catches the eye of anyone arriving in Hrádek.

What is the history behind the church?

The church is a single-nave building, typical of Central European late Baroque architecture — restrained in overall form but rich in decorative detail. It has been listed as a protected cultural monument since 1958, a status confirming its historical and artistic value. The rich sculptural decoration inside is attributed to the circle of the outstanding Brno sculptor Ondřej Schweigel, or alternatively to the workshop of Václav Böhm — both linked to numerous ecclesiastical commissions across southern Moravia in the 18th century. The church still functions as the parish church of the Roman Catholic parish of Hrádek u Znojma, where services are held regularly.

What else is there to see around the church?

The space between the church and the rectory holds several noteworthy pieces of small sacred architecture. One highlight is a late-Gothic wayside shrine with a shaft decorated in a distinctive diamond pattern — a rare surviving example of pre-Baroque carved detail in the area. Standing beside it is a Baroque sculptural group depicting the so-called Small Calvary, dated to 1747. Together these elements form a compact but coherent religious ensemble worth walking around before stepping inside the church itself.

What makes the rectory next to the church notable?

The monumental Baroque rectory, built between 1737 and 1749, completes the architectural ensemble around the church. Its façade is richly designed, featuring numerous decorative elements and a powerful gable rising above the front of the building. Together, the rectory and the church form a stylistically unified complex, a combination rarely preserved in such good condition in the small villages of the Znojmo region.

How do you get to the church in Hrádek?

Hrádek lies on the route connecting Znojmo with border villages on the Austrian side, making it a convenient stop for anyone exploring the Czech-Austrian borderland, including the nearby Podyjí National Park. The church stands centrally in the village, and its tower is visible from a distance, making orientation straightforward.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the church? As an active parish church, it is generally open mainly during services; visiting the interior outside those hours depends on the availability of the local clergy.

What is the oldest surviving part of the current building? The late-Gothic tower from the 15th or 16th century, a remnant of the earlier church that stood on this site before the Baroque rebuilding of 1764–1767.

Who created the sculptural decoration inside? It is attributed to the circle of Ondřej Schweigel or the workshop of Václav Böhm, sculptors active in southern Moravia during the 18th century.

What else is worth seeing besides the church itself? The Baroque rectory from 1737–1749, a late-Gothic wayside shrine with a diamond-patterned shaft, and a Baroque Small Calvary sculptural group from 1747, all standing in the immediate vicinity.