Evangelical church (Vanovice)

The Evangelical Church in Vanovice is the largest Protestant church in Moravia, a Neo-Romanesque building whose twin-tower facade dominates the surrounding countryside and can be seen from far away. It belongs to the congregation of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren and stands in the village of Vanovice in the Blansko District, South Moravian Region. Behind its imposing walls lies a story of religious tolerance and an unusual piece of engineering: a mechanism built to imitate the sound of bells that the congregation was, by law, forbidden to own.

How did the church come to be built?

The congregation's roots go back to October 15, 1782, when the community of Vanovice was granted a so-called tolerance church — the modest type of building Protestants were allowed to erect under Emperor Joseph II's Patent of Toleration. As the congregation grew, this original structure became too small, and in 1826 the decision was made to build a larger church. Construction was completed in August 1844, and the new building was ceremonially opened on August 11, 1844.

Why does the church have towers it wasn't originally built with?

The Patent of Toleration didn't just restrict the appearance of Protestant churches — it also banned them from owning bells, a privilege reserved for Catholic churches. As a result, the church in Vanovice stood without towers for years after its completion. It wasn't until 1863 that the distinctive twin-tower facade was added, giving the building the commanding presence it has today over the village and surrounding landscape.

What is hidden inside the left tower?

Since real bells were off-limits, the local pastor commissioned a special device from a German company: a mechanism made of steel springs designed to imitate the sound of ringing bells. This unusual solution was installed in the church's left tower, where it remains today, now recognized as a technical cultural monument. It stands as a striking example of how the evangelical community found ways around the restrictions imposed on it by law.

Does the tower clock still work?

The church tower also carries a clock, which stopped at the end of World War II and remained out of service for decades. It was finally repaired in 2010, restoring both its function and another tangible piece of the building's long history.

What architectural style does the church represent?

The church was designed in the Neo-Romanesque style, closed off at the chancel end by a semicircular apse. Its twin-tower facade lends the building a monumental character, making it a landmark visible from the surrounding hills. The sheer scale of the structure explains why it is regarded as the largest evangelical church in all of Moravia.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? In the village of Vanovice, in the Blansko District, South Moravian Region.

Which denomination does the church belong to? It belongs to the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, a Reformed Protestant denomination.

Why doesn't the church have real bells? Because the Patent of Toleration issued under Joseph II forbade Protestant congregations from owning bells — the left tower instead houses a steel-spring mechanism that imitates their sound.

When were the towers added? In 1863, roughly two decades after the main church building was completed in 1844.

Is it possible to see the interior? The church occasionally opens to visitors during events such as Night of Churches — it's worth checking the current schedule before planning a visit.