Church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

The Church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is a Baroque church standing in the center of Přibyslav, a small town in the Havlíčkův Brod District of the Vysočina region in the eastern Czech Republic. Together with the much older Gothic tower right beside it, the church forms the town's main architectural landmark and is protected as a cultural monument.

How to get there?

Přibyslav sits along the route connecting Havlíčkův Brod with Žďár nad Sázavou, in the heart of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. The church stands right in the town center next to the main square, so the easiest way to reach it is on foot from the parking area at the square — a walk of just a few minutes. Přibyslav is reachable by car or regional train; the nearest larger town, Havlíčkův Brod, lies about 15 kilometers to the east.

What will you see?

The church's current Baroque form dates from 1750–1753. The foundation stone for the new building was laid on 1 April 1750 at the initiative of Karel Maxmilián of Dietrichstein, the local estate's lord at the time, and the church was solemnly consecrated in 1753. The new building replaced an earlier Gothic church dating back to around 1265, which had been badly damaged in 1424 when the town was captured by Hussite forces.

On the western facade, niches hold statues of St. John of Nepomuk and St. John the Baptist, while the top of the gable is crowned with a statue of the Immaculata. The church, together with the massive tower standing right next to it, is listed as a protected cultural monument. That neighboring tower actually has its own, separate and turbulent history — construction began in 1497 as a defensive structure, after the previous tower had been severely damaged during a Hussite siege, and it is this tower, rather than the church itself, that serves today as the town's most recognizable landmark, visible from a distance.

Between 2024 and 2025, the church's statues and main altar underwent extensive restoration. The work revealed delicate, gilded decoration on the saints' garments resembling lace embroidery — a detail previously hidden beneath layers of grime and old overpainting.

When to visit?

Přibyslav sits in a region with clearly defined seasons — spring and summer are the most rewarding times to visit, when the main square and surrounding streets are at their liveliest and the longer days make it easy to combine a look at the church with a walk through the historic town center and a visit to the nearby City Museum housed in the Kurfürst House. In autumn and winter the town is quieter, which can be an advantage for visitors who prefer a more intimate visit without crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Are the church and the tower next to it the same building? No. The Baroque Church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist and the Gothic town tower standing beside it are two separate structures with different histories — the tower is considerably older and originally served a defensive purpose, though together the two landmarks form Přibyslav's characteristic skyline.

When was the current church built? The present Baroque building was constructed between 1750 and 1753 on the site of an earlier Gothic church that was destroyed in 1424 during the Hussite Wars.

What should you look for on and inside the church? On the facade, look for the statues of St. John of Nepomuk and St. John the Baptist and the Immaculata crowning the gable; following the recent restoration, the renovated main altar with its gilded details is also worth a look.

Are there other attractions nearby? Yes — the Gothic town tower stands directly next to the church, and the City Museum in the Kurfürst House is just a short walk away near the main square, making it easy to combine a visit to the church with a stroll through Přibyslav's historic center.