Church of Saint John the Baptist, Gothic fortified church in Kurdějov, Czech Republic

The Church of Saint John the Baptist is a late-Gothic single-nave church on a hill in the centre of Kurdějov. A free-standing bell tower, the Chapel of All Saints and a prism-shaped charnel house stand around it, linked by a stone wall about 1 m thick and 3.5–4 m high, roughly 105 m long. The nave carries a star-rib vault and a saddle roof with a metal sanctus turret.

The building was created in medieval times and designed specifically as a defensive church to protect the population and religious treasures. It served as a refuge and defensive position during warfare, shielding the community from invasion and destruction.

The fortified complex hosts an annual pilgrimage and open-air theatre performances in the church grounds. The south portal carries a carved statue of Christ on the cross, with traces of frescoes around it and figures of the crucified thieves once beside it, later chiselled away.

Visiting is seasonal and depends on local arrangements, as the building is not open year-round and access varies by time of year. Those wanting to go inside should check with the municipal office beforehand to confirm current visiting possibilities.

Beneath the building lies a tunnel system dug in medieval times that connected different points in the settlement. These underground passages gave residents quick escape and supply routes whenever danger threatened the community.