Church of Saint Vitus, Baroque church in Dobřany, Czech Republic

The Church of Saint Vitus is a Baroque central building in Dobřany, built 1727–1734 to a design by Jakub Auguston the Younger. Its sixteen-sided exterior has alternating concave and convex sides, four sandstone portals with curved lintels, and a flat dome topped by a lantern and onion-shaped cupola. Inside, an oval space is lined with two arcaded galleries, and the dome carries a stucco fresco of Saint Vitus in heavenly glory.

The church is first mentioned in 1259, when it belonged to a now-vanished convent of Augustinian White Sisters of St Mary Magdalene. In 1282 the nuns sold their rights, including the church, to the Chotěšov monastery. Husites plundered it in 1420, fire damaged it in 1620 and Swedish troops looted it in 1651. The old building was demolished in spring 1727 and replaced by the present church, whose foundation stone was laid on 15 June 1727 under provost Dominik Peterka and which was consecrated in 1734.

The church is now used as the town gallery, so its oval interior with two arcaded levels serves exhibitions rather than only worship. Above the windows, stucco frames hold painted scenes from the life of Saint Vitus, and the vaults of the gallery show eight scenes from the life of Saint John of Nepomuk. The pulpit hangs without a supporting post, and its door bears the abbot's coat of arms with the letters D. P. P. C. and the year 1736.

The church is open to visitors outside of religious services and community events. It is best to visit respectfully and check opening times, as this remains an active place of worship.

The church has served as Dobřany's town gallery, and its interior was restored in 2018, including the altar. The suspended pulpit has no supporting leg; its door bears the abbot's coat of arms, the letters D. P. P. C. (Dominicus Peterca, praepositus Chotěšoviensis) and the year 1736.