Holy Trinity church

The Church of the Holy Trinity (Kostel Nejsvětější Trojice) in Plumlov is a Renaissance church standing on a hill in the northeastern part of this small town in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. Built in 1555 at the initiative of the Pernštejn family, the owners of the nearby Plumlov castle, the church has remained one of the most recognisable landmarks on the local skyline for nearly five centuries.

What does the church look like, and what is inside?

The building follows the Renaissance style typical of its era, and its most distinctive feature is a 33-metre tower that can be seen from a distance thanks to the church's hilltop location. Inside, the main altarpiece from 1881 stands out, showing a copy of a Holy Trinity painting modelled on the original kept in Vienna. The church also holds an unusual instrumental artefact — a cimbalom from 1698, kept here on loan.

What is hidden inside the bell tower?

The tower houses bells cast in 1830. The larger one, weighing 220 kilograms, is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The smaller one, known locally as the "umíráček" (death knell), weighs 25 kilograms and traditionally announced news of a death in the town. Both bells date from the 19th century, when the church underwent a major reconstruction in 1828.

What trace did the Thirty Years' War leave in Plumlov?

Embedded in the boundary wall surrounding the church are two cannon barrels and a sandstone memorial plaque. Together they commemorate events from 1643, when Swedish forces used this exact spot to bombard the town and the nearby castle during the Thirty Years' War. It is one of the few physical reminders of that conflict still preserved right next to the church.

Was there a cemetery attached to the church?

Yes — the church originally served as a burial church, and the adjoining cemetery was used by the residents of Plumlov for centuries. Burials here ended in 1950, when the cemetery was officially closed.

Why is it worth a stop while visiting Plumlov?

The Church of the Holy Trinity is a natural point of reference for anyone visiting Plumlov together with its nearby castle — both sites share a history tied to the Pernštejn family and to the 17th-century siege of the town. The hill on which the church stands also offers a different vantage point over the town than the view from the main square.

Frequently asked questions

When was the church in Plumlov built? The church was built in 1555 in the Renaissance style, funded by the Pernštejn family.

How tall is the church tower? The tower of the Church of the Holy Trinity is 33 metres tall.

What is depicted on the main altarpiece? The 1881 altarpiece shows a copy of a Holy Trinity painting modelled on the original kept in Vienna.

What connection does the church have to the Thirty Years' War? Two cannon barrels and a memorial plaque are set into the church's boundary wall, commemorating the Swedish bombardment of Plumlov launched from this spot in 1643.

Is there still an active cemetery next to the church? No, the churchyard cemetery was closed in 1950 and no burials have taken place there since.

What is a particularly rare artefact inside the church? The church houses a cimbalom from 1698, considered a rare instrumental artefact for the region.