Kostel svatého Jana Křtitele (Březí) Church
The church of St. John the Baptist stands in the village of Březí in the district of Břeclav. This is the second temple in the place where the original parish church came with construction already in 1691. During the 19th century, however, the original building was in a worse state. In 1836, they tried to raise the tower, but a year later, they had to return it to its original height because the building threatened to collapse. This experience led to a radical decision: in 1853 it was decided to build a completely new church.
The new temple was consecrated in 1862. The single-boat building with a detached priesthood and a quad sacristy became the parish temple of the parish Březí near Mikulov. The facades break it down with deep embedded fillings with high, semi-circular windows, framed by blank arches. From the beginning, however, serious problems have haunted the construction. The walls soon appeared cracks that were constantly expanding, and the builders were in vain looking for cause. In 1874, they came to the conclusion that the bags on the roof were too burdensome and replaced them with galvanized sheet metal. Six years later, during the storm, the bags on the tower were saved - 800 gold were repaired and the tower was also covered with galvanized sheet metal. Four years later, in 1882, the wall bolts cracked and had to be replaced by new, stronger ones. Only in 1908 did the church have a thorough renovation.
One of the largest treasures of the church is a crystal chandelier dedicated to local native Jakub Kern, owner of a house in Vienna. The chandelier is 4.5 meters tall, has a diameter of 2.25 meters and weighs 252 kilograms. This is the largest crystal chandelier in Europe. Kern dedicated this magnificent facility to his own volition because church resources were not enough to equip a new church.
The Church of St. John the Baptist stands in memory as proof of the persistence of his village. Despite the construction difficulties that weighed every generation of maintenance, the temple managed to maintain and gradually repair. Today it is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic and remains a faithful place to meet believers and a welcome goal of experts of architectural history.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
Then
Now
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- 1691
- Opening of the original church in Březí, which was later demolished.
- 1836
- Increasing the tower of the original church, which was subsequently abolished due to danger.
- 1853
- Decision on the construction of the new church of St. John the Baptist.
- 1862
- The consecration of a new church.
- 1874
- Replacing the bags on the roof with galvanized metal because of structural problems.
- 1908
- A thorough renovation of the church.
Architectural development
The church was built on the site of an older Renaissance church from the 17th century. It is a historic building with elements of Classicism and Empire. From the very beginning he suffered from structural defects which led to repeated interventions - for example, replacing the bags on the roof with galvanized sheet metal in 1874 and subsequent repairs of the tower after the storm. The interior equipment comes mainly from the time of the church with some older elements.
Historical events
1691 - construction of the original church in Březí
1836-1837 - increase and subsequent decrease of the tower of the original church due to the danger of collapse
1862 - consecration of the newly built church of St. John the Baptist
1908 - thorough renovation of the church
Owners
Farnost Březí, municipality Březí
Points of interest
- The church of St. John the Baptist in Březí was built as a second temple in the same place because the original parish church had disappeared already in 1691.
- In 1836 the building collapsed in an attempt to increase the tower, which led to a decision on the construction of a completely new church in 1853.
- The new church was consecrated in 1862, but soon, cracks appeared in its walls, which were constantly expanding.
- The church is famous for its largest crystal chandelier in Europe, which dedicated the local native Jakub Kern from Vienna.
- The church tower was repaired after the storm in 1879, with bags replaced with galvanized sheet metal.
Guide
This guide is narrated by a synthetic voice generated by artificial intelligence.
Show guide text
This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
The Church of Saint John the Baptist in Březí near Břeclav is a Roman Catholic parish church of the Březí u Mikulova parish and is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. However, it is not the first church building in the village. Construction of the original church began in 1691. In 1836, its tower was raised, but already the following year it had to be lowered back to its original form because there was a risk it would collapse.
In 1853, the decision was made to build a completely new church. It was consecrated in 1862. Church funds were not sufficient for furnishing the new building, so benefactors helped. Jakub Kern, a local native and owner of a house in Vienna, donated a large crystal chandelier to the church of his own accord. It was four and a half meters high, measured two and a quarter meters in diameter, and weighed 252 kilograms. According to available records, it is the largest crystal chandelier in Europe.
From the very beginning, the new building was plagued by problems. Cracks appeared in the walls that kept expanding. It was concluded that the roof tiles were placing too much strain on the structure, so in 1874 they were replaced with a roof of galvanized sheet metal. Six years later, a storm tore the tiles off the tower. The repair cost 800 guilders, and the tower too received a metal roof covering at that time. In 1882, the masonry tie rods cracked and had to be replaced with new, stronger ones. The church underwent a thorough renovation in 1908.
The church is a single-nave structure with a recessed chancel, to which a square sacristy is attached. The facades are divided by deep recessed panels. In them are opened tall windows topped with semicircles and framed by blind arches on pilasters. The interior furnishings date from the time when the church was built, and are supplemented by some older pieces.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kostel svatého Jana Křtitele (Březí) open to the public?
Yes, the church is open to the public all year round. Admission is free.
How do I get to the place by car / public transport?
The best way to get there is by car. Parking is possible in front of the church. If you arrive public transport, the nearest stop is about 10 minutes walk away.
How much is the entrance fee and is it paid on the spot?
Admission is free.
Is the tour suitable for children and seniors?
Yes, the church is also suitable for families with children. For seniors, access to the church is easy, but we recommend that you book a tour in advance due to possible entry difficulties.
How long does the tour take?
The church tour takes about 30 minutes. We recommend planning it for when it is sunny to be able to photograph the interior of the church.
What are the opening times and booking is required?
The church is open throughout the year. We recommend you book a tour in advance to make sure you can enter the site.
What's interesting in the immediate vicinity?
In the immediate vicinity of the church there are several historical houses and rectory. We recommend seeing this part of the village.
For kids
Imagine coming back 776 years and suddenly you're in a small village in a deep forest. The village is called Březí and it's where the grand wedding took place. It was the wedding of priest John the Baptist, who was so popular that people loved him as a god.
At that time, there were many people who were farmers or pastels. They caught animals in the woods and then sold them in the village. People were also left with fruits from the forest and wood for fires. It was really alive and full of the energy of the village.
Businesses nearby
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Nearby
- Baroque church from the 18th century, a significant sacral building in the region.
- Protected land with rich nature and historic forest crops.
Accommodation nearby
Themed route
Thematic cruise route: Sacral and natural treasures Břeclavska
1. Church of St. John the Baptist in Březí * Type: Sacral landmark * A unique church with Gothic foundations and baroque adjustments, which attracts lovers of architecture with its calm and historical charm. Inner facilities with valuable sculptures and frescoes reflect the rich spiritual tradition of the region.
2. St. Nicholas parish church in Mikulov * Type: Baroque sacral structure * Just 5 kilometers from Březí stands this impressive church with richly decorated interior, which is one of the most important baroque works in the region. His acoustics and works of art attract visitors beyond religious interest.
3. Natural reservation Čejkovická majorship * Type: Protected nature * Seven kilometers from Březí, this reservation is spread out with original forest crops and rare fauna. Ideal for walking, bird watching or resting in a quiet environment that complements the historic forest fund.
* The route combines the spiritual and natural beauty of the region, suitable for cyclists and hiking. *
Seasonal recommendations
Spring In March and April, the church of St. John the Baptist in Březí awakens to life after winter peace - the surrounding meadows flourish and the rays of the sun penetrate through the stained glass, creating on the stone walls a game of colored glare. There is also a specific sound environment: the singing of birds and the roaring of leaves are mixed with the echo of bells that often sound in Sunday services. It is a good time early in the morning when the church is still calm and visitors have the opportunity to look at detailed paintings and statues without rush. Practical advice includes comfortable shoes - after rainy days, roads to the memory of mud - and light clothes that protect against spring drains. In the main summer season, however, it is recommended to visit the church in the morning to avoid crowds of tourists.
Summer In June and July, Březí will turn into a living scene where the Church of St. John the Baptist stands in contrast between the green fields and the hot sun, which causes a warm golden reflection on his facade. In the summer months, the monument is often visited by families with children who enjoy the quiet in the shade of trees near the church. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures fall and traffic is lower. It is recommended light, breathable clothes and hat to avoid overheating, and plenty of water. In the main summer season there are also regular services offering an opportunity to learn local traditions.
Autumn In September and October, the church is surrounded by a golden and red palette of leaves, which creates a magical atmosphere, especially at sunset, when light breaks through the stained glass and shadows extend along the corridors. Autumn visit is ideal for lovers of photography, as the contrast between ancient architecture and color surroundings is unrepeatable. It is recommended to warm but comfortable clothes as the weather can be variable - from sunny days to rainy mornings. The appropriate time is afternoon when the church is lit with natural light and the attendance is lower than in summer. Concerts or exhibitions often take place in advent time, which add another dimension to the memory.
Winter In December and January, the church of St. John the Baptist will be turned into a quiet refuge from the winter cold, when the snow cover softens its silhouette and the bell rings will not fall down with the quiet streets Březí. Winter visit is most suitable for those who wish to explore the memory without crowds as opening hours are limited and some parts of the church can be closed. It is recommended that warm, laminated clothing and solid footwear be worn to avoid slipping on frozen roads. The best time is the afternoon when the church is lit with artificial light, which highlights its architectural details. In advent time there are often Christmas services that offer a unique atmosphere.
Visualizations and artistic views
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Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
Atmosphere of the place
This atmospheric visualisation of the place and period was generated by artificial intelligence. It is not real footage of the location.
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Sources and literature
Photos: feťour / Public domain, rozlišení zvýšeno umělou inteligencí — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
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