Sv. Petr a Pavel

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is a small Roman Catholic parish church in the village of Petrovice, in the Blansko District of the South Moravian Region in the Czech Republic. It stands at the edge of the Drahany Highlands, right where the rural Moravian countryside blends into the Moravian Karst, one of Central Europe's best-known cave and gorge regions.

Where is Petrovice and how do you get there?

Petrovice is a small village of around 650 residents, sitting on the edge of the Drahany Highlands (Drahanská vrchovina) roughly 12 km northeast of the town of Blansko. Part of the municipality falls within the Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area, which makes it a convenient base for anyone exploring the caves and gorges of that region. The village has no direct rail connection, so the easiest way in is by car from Blansko or Brno, or by local bus - not by train.

What is the history behind the church?

The first written record of the village itself dates to 1374, when Petrovice and its manor were held by Mikuláš of Petrovice, later passed to Vilém and Pavel of Petrovice. The parish patronage tied to the church is documented from 1379, which suggests some form of church already stood here in the medieval period - it's possible the current building conceals an older, Gothic core. The appearance the church has today, however, comes from a major reconstruction carried out between 1733 and 1735. It was financed by Karl Ludwig von Roggendorf, who put up 1,147 gold coins for the project - a substantial sum for a rural baroque church of this scale. A thorough repair followed in 1804. The building is now listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, a recognition of its historical value despite its modest size.

What will you actually see there?

The church is enclosed by a cemetery surrounded by a stone wall with a gate - a layout typical of village churches in this part of Moravia. Right next to it stands the rectory building, a sign that the parish is still active today. The church itself is a modest baroque structure without elaborate decoration - it's worth a stop more for what it tells you about local history and rural sacred architecture than as a standalone attraction on the scale of the region's larger landmarks.

When is the best time to visit?

Petrovice is best visited as part of a walking or cycling trip through the Drahany Highlands and the adjoining Moravian Karst - spring and autumn are when the rolling highland landscape looks its best and the trails are quieter. The church exterior can be seen at any time of year; getting inside depends on service times, so it's worth checking locally before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul located? In the village of Petrovice, in the Blansko District of the South Moravian Region, about 12 km northeast of the town of Blansko, on the edge of the Drahany Highlands.

How old is the church? The parish patronage has been documented since 1379, and the building may hold a medieval core, but its current baroque appearance dates from a reconstruction carried out between 1733 and 1735.

Can you go inside the church? It's still an active parish church, so interior access depends on service times - check locally before your visit.

What else is worth seeing near Petrovice? Part of the municipality lies within the Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area, known for its caves and gorges - a natural extension of a visit to the church.