Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, Brno

The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene (Kostel Svaté Máří Magdalény) in Brno is a significant Roman Catholic church with a rich history dating back to the 15th century. This historical site originally housed a Jewish synagogue, which was forcibly taken over by the Franciscans and transformed into a church. The Franciscans not only converted the synagogue but also added a Romanesque touch, including an adjacent tower.

The church we see today is primarily a Baroque structure, constructed between 1651 and 1654, likely by the builder Ondřej Erna. It was built on the site of the former synagogue after the expulsion of the Jews from Brno in 1454, following an order by King Ladislaus the Posthumous. The remains of the synagogue, including parts of the northern wall, were uncovered during archaeological research, highlighting the layered history of this location.

The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene is a single-nave longitudinal building with a rectangular chancel. The design includes a sacristy and a chapel dedicated to Saint Jude Thaddeus. The western façade, simplified structurally after a fire in 1852, features statues of Saint Nicholas of Myra and Saint Martin of Tours, which were relocated here from the abolished Church of Saint Nicholas. These statues were crafted around 1760 by the Brno sculptor Ondřej Schweigl.

The church underwent significant reconstruction in 1852, giving it its current appearance. The tower, which once had a different design, now features a helmet modified in the Neo-Romanesque style. The church's side façade is simple, adorned only by semicircular windows that illuminate the chapels and nave.

Today, the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene is not only a place of worship but also a protected cultural monument, standing as a testament to the historical and religious transformations that have shaped Brno.