Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary rises on the southeastern edge of the main square in Valtice, a small town in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, just a few kilometers from the Austrian border. Nearly 50 meters long and topped by a 34-meter tower, it ranks among the larger churches in the Diocese of Brno and dominates the skyline above the surrounding vineyards.

Why was such a large church built here?

Prince Karl Eusebius of Liechtenstein envisioned Valtice as the family's residential capital, and he wanted a church grand enough to serve almost as a cathedral. Construction began in 1631 to a design by the Italian architect Giovanni Giacomo Tencalla, a key figure of early Baroque sacred architecture in Moravia. The project quickly ran into trouble: on 23 October 1638 the dome vault collapsed, halting interior decoration for years. From 1641 the Brno master mason Ondřej Erna took charge of the works. Further delays followed during the Swedish occupation of Valtice between 1645 and 1653 and amid the looming threat of Ottoman invasion. The church was finally completed four decades after it began, in 1671.

What is inside the church?

The high altar holds a painting of the Assumption of Mary, a copy of a work by the Flemish Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens. The sheer scale of the building — its long nave and towering steeple — still reflects the Liechtensteins' original ambition to give Valtice a church worthy of a capital. The building is today protected as a cultural monument.

Where exactly is it and how do you get there?

The church stands right on Valtice's main square, surrounded by burgher houses and close to Valtice Chateau. The town lies within the Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site, so a visit pairs naturally with a walk around the square, a tour of the chateau, or a bike ride along the avenues connecting Valtice with Lednice. Valtice is reachable by car, train or bus from Brno or Břeclav.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and summer are ideal for combining a walk around the square and the surrounding vineyards with a look at the church's exterior, which can be admired year-round. Watch for local events such as Night of Churches, when the interior often opens with guided tours and extra activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the church in Valtice built? Construction started in 1631 and finished in 1671, delayed by a dome collapse, Swedish occupation and the threat of Ottoman invasion.

Who designed the church? Italian architect Giovanni Giacomo Tencalla designed it for Prince Karl Eusebius of Liechtenstein.

What does the main altar painting show? It depicts the Assumption of Mary and is a copy of a painting by Peter Paul Rubens.

Can visitors go inside? Yes, the church is open to visitors, and the interior is especially accessible during events like the Night of Churches.