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

The Church of Saint John the Baptist is a Gothic building in Slavonice that displays its facade with Renaissance sgraffito decorations from the late 16th century. Inside, you find traditional church architecture with an altar, wooden pews, and religious artworks that reflect its long history.

The present church probably dates from the 14th century and was built on the site of an older church. In the 15th century a hospital was established around it, and after the Hussite Wars the church was rebuilt. Renaissance sgraffiti were created on its walls in 1582; they survived fires in 1620 and 1845 and were restored in 1927. The hospital disappeared after the second fire, and the church was reconstructed in 1995.

The church is no longer used for worship; since its 1995 reconstruction it has hosted occasional cultural events. The building is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, and a stone cross from 1823 stands before the entrance. Two side altars accompany the main altar, and wooden pews remain inside.

The church stands in the outskirts of Slavonice, surrounded by family houses, not by the main square. It no longer serves worship and opens only for occasional cultural events, so check event notices before setting out. A protected stone cross from 1823 stands in front of the entrance.

The sgraffito decorations on the facade are a rare example of this labor-intensive surface technique where layers of colored plaster are carefully revealed. Few visitors notice the fine details of these Renaissance embellishments as they pass by the church.