Church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist in Roztoky

The Church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist stands in the center of Roztoky, a small town on the Vltava river just north of Prague. It's a relatively young building by Czech standards, dating only from the mid-19th century, even though the settlement itself is documented since the Middle Ages. The church occupies a prominent spot facing the town hall and still serves as Roztoky's main parish church.

Where is the church and how do you get there?

The church sits right in the heart of Roztoky, in the upper part of town, across the square from the municipal office. It's an easy walk from the Roztoky–Žalov train station, on the line that follows the Vltava river between Prague and towns further upstream.

Why did Roztoky go so long without its own church?

Roztoky is first mentioned in writing in 1233, yet for centuries its residents had no parish of their own — they belonged to the Church of St. Clement in neighboring Žalov. Before the current building existed, services for the people of Roztoky were held in a chapel at the local chateau. It wasn't until the mid-19th century that enough money was raised for a dedicated church, and the project was funded not only by Roztoky's own residents but also by donations from the nearby villages of Žalov, Husinec, and Lichoceves.

How was the present building built?

Construction started in 1854 in the upper, then-developing part of Roztoky. Rather than building from scratch, the parish converted an existing brick granary, remodeling it in a Neo-Gothic style: pointed-arch openings for windows and doors were cut into the thick walls, and a presbytery and an entrance vestibule were added to the structure. The work was finished in 1867, when Bishop Petr Krejčí consecrated the new church.

What does the church look like, and what's inside?

The building is a flat-ceilinged rectangular nave closed off by a square presbytery — a layout that still betrays its origin as a converted farm building rather than a church designed from the ground up. Above the main entrance, set into a stepped gable, is a relief of Saint Wenceslas. Inside, the main altar dates back to the mid-18th century, making it older than the building itself, alongside a 19th-century painting of Saint John of Nepomuk. A stone statue of the same saint, erected in 1845, stands in front of the church.

What has happened to the church since then?

In 1879 the interior received wall paintings and the exterior was whitewashed. Five years later, in 1884, an organ was installed. World War I left its mark on the building: the organ pipes and the church bells were both requisitioned for the war effort. During the interwar period, an entrance vestibule was added to the structure. In the early 21st century the church underwent a thorough renovation that has kept it in good condition to this day.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist? In the center of Roztoky, just north of Prague on the Vltava river, in the upper part of town facing the municipal office.

When was the church built? Construction began in 1854 by converting an existing granary, and the finished church was consecrated in 1867.

Where did people in Roztoky attend church before this building existed? At the Church of St. Clement in nearby Žalov, and in the period right before construction, in a chapel at the Roztoky chateau.

What can visitors see inside the church? A main altar from the mid-18th century, a 19th-century painting of Saint John of Nepomuk, and a relief of Saint Wenceslas above the entrance, plus an 1845 statue of Saint John of Nepomuk standing outside.

Was the church building originally something else? Yes — it was created by converting an old brick granary, which is still visible in the plain, rectangular shape of the nave.

Did the church suffer any losses during World War I? Yes, the military requisitioned its organ pipes and bells during the war.