Church of Saint John the Baptist

The Church of Saint John the Baptist is a Gothic structure in town with a distinctive tall tower that rises prominently above surrounding buildings. Inside, columns with polygonal bases divide the space into three sections, and the vaulted ceilings follow the characteristic Gothic style.

The church was built in 1345 to replace an earlier Romanesque building. Later in the 1800s, significant renovation work extended the tower and restored its Gothic character.

The church gained attention in 1817 when Václav Hanka found a manuscript in its tower dungeon, later determined to be a forgery yet influential in Czech literature.

The church is open to visitors who want to explore its interior spaces and architectural details. It is located in the center of town, making it easy to reach on foot from most parts of the community.

A manuscript found in the tower chamber in 1817 caused a stir in the Czech literary world, though it was later revealed to be a forgery. This discovery showed how much historical finds could influence national identity and cultural thinking at the time.

Location: Dvůr Králové nad Labem

GPS coordinates: 50.43390,15.81360

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:43