Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary stands in the center of Dašice, a small town in the Pardubice region of eastern Czechia. The current building was constructed between 1677 and 1707 and consecrated in 1709. It is not the first church on this spot — the earliest written record of a parish church in Dašice goes back to 1349, so the site has served as a place of worship since the Middle Ages, even though the structure visitors see today is considerably younger.

What does the church look like?

It is an early Baroque, three-aisled basilica. The main nave measures roughly 21.7 by 9.4 meters and ends in a polygonal presbytery about 11 by 5.6 meters. Narrower side aisles (13.9 by 4.2 meters) are separated from the nave by a row of semicircular arches, and the whole interior is covered with cross vaults. The most recognizable feature from the outside is a pair of low twin towers flanking the west façade — they don't dominate the building's silhouette, giving the church a compact, grounded profile rather than a soaring one. A sacristy with an oratory adjoins the presbytery on the north side, and a small chapel sits on the south side.

What's inside worth seeing?

The interior holds Baroque furnishings assembled over several generations. The main altar is Baroque in style, while the side altars combine wooden sculptures and paintings created across the 18th and 19th centuries — well after the church's consecration, showing how the decoration was added gradually by successive generations of parishioners. It's worth walking past each side altar individually, since they differ noticeably in style and period, which is unusual for a church of this modest size in a small Czech town.

How do you get there?

The church sits on Havlíčkova Street, right in the center of Dašice, so finding it is straightforward once you reach the town — just head toward the main square. Dašice lies in the Pardubice district, close to Sezemice, making it an easy day-trip destination from Pardubice or a convenient stop on a longer route through eastern Bohemia.

When should you visit?

The church operates as part of the local parish's regular life, and Dašice also takes part in the nationwide "Night of Churches" (Noc kostelů) event, when the building typically stays open longer with an extra visitor program. That's a good opportunity to see the interior without being limited to regular service hours.

Is it a significant landmark?

Yes — the church has been listed in the Czech Republic's register of cultural monuments since 1958, confirming its historical and architectural value. Today the Dašice parish is administered "ex currendo," meaning it is served by a priest traveling from the neighboring parish in Sezemice, a common arrangement for smaller towns in the region.

Frequently asked questions

When was the church in Dašice built? The current building was constructed between 1677 and 1707 and consecrated in 1709. An earlier church stood on the same site, first documented in 1349.

What architectural style is the church? It's an early Baroque, three-aisled basilica with a polygonal presbytery and two low towers on the west façade.

Is the church a protected landmark? Yes, it has been part of the Czech Republic's register of cultural monuments since 1958.

Where exactly is the church located? On Havlíčkova Street, in the center of Dašice, in the Pardubice district of eastern Czechia.