Church of the Purification of Mary

The Church of the Purification of the Virgin Mary in Dub nad Moravou is a monumental Baroque pilgrimage church in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. Its two 59-metre towers rise above the surrounding lowland, and for more than two centuries the church has drawn pilgrims who come to venerate a painting of the Virgin Mary of Dub, regarded as miraculous.

How old is the church?

A church already stood on this site before 1297, when it was mentioned by Pope Boniface VIII. Around 1470 a new building replaced the older one, and a century later it gained a tower and underwent partial rebuilding. The current Baroque form dates from construction carried out in the first half of the 18th century.

Who built the present church?

Construction was directed by the Brno-based builder František Benedikt Klíčník. After his death in 1755, the work was completed by Jiří Klíčník. Their high-Baroque design gives the church its distinctive west facade, with the main entrance set between the two towers.

What does the church look like architecturally?

It is a single-nave building, roughly oriented on an east–west axis. The rectangular nave has rounded corners and ends in a recessed, semi-circular apse. The twin-towered west facade gives the whole structure a monumental silhouette visible from the roads approaching the village.

Why is it a major pilgrimage site?

For over 200 years, pilgrims have travelled to Dub nad Moravou to venerate the painting known as the Virgin Mary of Dub, considered miraculous by the faithful. This devotion turned a small village into one of the more significant pilgrimage destinations in the Olomouc Region, and the church continues to serve as an active place of worship today.

Is the church protected as a monument?

Yes. The Church of the Purification of the Virgin Mary is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, a status that reflects its historical and architectural importance as one of the region's most impressive Baroque religious buildings.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church stands in the village of Dub nad Moravou, in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic, at coordinates 49.48345278 N, 17.27458889 E. The village lies near the Morava river and is easily reached from Olomouc.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is the Church of the Purification of the Virgin Mary? Religious use of the site predates 1297, but the current Baroque structure was built in the first half of the 18th century, following earlier rebuildings in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Who designed the current building? Brno builder František Benedikt Klíčník led construction; after his death in 1755, Jiří Klíčník completed it.

Why do pilgrims visit Dub nad Moravou? They come to venerate the painting of the Virgin Mary of Dub, considered miraculous and honoured at the church for more than 200 years.

How tall are the church towers? The two towers of the west facade stand 59 metres tall.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.