Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Hlinsko)

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Hlinsko is a Baroque deanery church overlooking the town center in the Chrudim district of the Pardubice Region. It stands above Faráře Toufara Street and is listed as an immovable cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

How far back does its history go?

A parish in Hlinsko is first documented in 1350, when it is mentioned as a parish church. During the Hussite era a Hussite parish operated here for nearly two centuries, until Catholic spiritual administration was restored in 1624. The building seen today is not medieval, though — it was constructed much later, between 1730 and 1733, funded by Count Štěpán Vilém Kinský. It was built by the Chrudim-based builder Donát Morazzi, a student of the renowned architect Jan Santini, who was active across eastern Bohemia in the first third of the 18th century. Another milestone came on December 8, 1951, when the diocesan bishop of Königgrätz (Hradec Králové), Maurice Pícha, raised the parish church to the rank of deanery church by decree.

What can you see inside and outside?

The church is a Baroque, single-nave building with an irregular orientation and a semicircular apse enclosing the presbytery. Two square annexes flank the main structure: the sacristy and the chapel of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Of the original furnishings, only the stone baptismal font from 1628 has survived to this day — the rest of the interior has changed over the centuries. Worth noting is the bell in the tower, weighing 1,315 kilograms and cast in 1520 by master Daniel of Kutná Hora — a rare historic bell that predates the current Baroque church building by two centuries.

How do you get there?

The church stands in the center of Hlinsko, above Faráře Toufara Street, in an easily accessible part of town in the Chrudim district. Its elevated position means it is visible from many spots around Hlinsko, making it a useful landmark for orientation while exploring the town.

When is the best time to visit?

As an active place of worship, the church is primarily accessible during services and at open events such as the annual Night of Churches. That occasion is a good opportunity to see the interior of the deanery church and hear the historic 1520 bell.

Frequently asked questions

When was the current church building constructed? The current Baroque building was built between 1730 and 1733, although a parish in Hlinsko has existed since 1350.

Who funded and built the church? It was funded by Count Štěpán Vilém Kinský and built by Donát Morazzi of Chrudim, a student of architect Jan Santini.

What survives from the original furnishings? The original furnishings include a surviving stone baptismal font from 1628 and a bell from 1520 cast by master Daniel of Kutná Hora.

Since when has it been a deanery church? It was elevated to the rank of deanery church on December 8, 1951, by decree of the diocesan bishop of Königgrätz, Maurice Pícha.