Join Us for an Enchanting Tour of St. Catherine’s Rotunda!

The Rotunda of St. Catherine located in Znojmo encourages you to explore its exceptional interiors. However, the rules for visiting this site differ from those of typical monuments. This rotunda honors the Premyslid dynasty, which reigned from 888 to 1306, and maintains a close watch over the climate inside to protect its remarkable frescoes. A system of sensors constantly checks the temperature, humidity, and light levels. The findings from these sensors help manage the entrance to the rotunda. If the weather is rainy, visitors are not allowed entry into the building.

You can check whether the rotunda is open by visiting the website of the South Moravian Museum in Znojmo at muzeumznojmo.cz/Rotunda-st.-Katerina. At the top of the page, you will notice a colored dot that changes like a traffic light—a red dot means that the rotunda is closed, an orange dot indicates that the temperature update is over 90 minutes old, and you will need to wait for new data, while a green dot signifies that tours are currently available. If you want to confirm whether it is a good time to visit, you can call the current number 515 222 311 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and potentially reserve a tour. Tours run every half hour, and tickets can be purchased up to 5 minutes before the tour begins. The first tour kicks off at 9:15 and the last one begins at 16:45. Each tour lasts 15 minutes, and the maximum number of people allowed per tour is 15.

What makes the Rotunda of St. Catherine so special?

The importance of the Rotunda of St. Catherine mainly comes from its extraordinary painted decoration. The Romanesque paintings, which date back to the late 11th century, reveal that extensive religious themes are woven with dynastic symbols related to the mythical beginnings of the Přemyslid family and celebrate the ascension of Přemyslid Conrad I of Znojmo as a Czech prince in 1091. The dome represents a heavenly realm and cosmic tranquility, illustrating the four evangelists and apocalyptic angels beneath the dove of the Holy Spirit, enclosed by a circle featuring 19 Přemyslid princes along with the first Czech king, Vratislav, and his successor Conrad I, portrayed as saved beings in the celestial city.

Rotunda of St. Catherine in Znojmo

Experience one of the Czech Republic’s most remarkable Romanesque monuments—home to 11th‑century frescoes and subject to strict conservation measures.

Overview & Location

• Site: South Moravian Museum, Znojmo

• Era: Late 11th century

• Dedication: Medieval frescoes celebrating the Přemyslid dynasty and religious iconography

Artistic Highlights

• Dynastic Themes: Scenes illustrating the mythical origins and ceremonies of Přemyslid ruler Conrad I of Znojmo

• Religious Imagery:

  • Four Evangelists and apocalyptic angels in the dome

  • Below them, 19 Přemyslid princes stand amid the “heavenly city”

Access & Environmental Controls

• Microclimate Monitoring:

  • Sensors track temperature, humidity, and light levels

  • Rainy Weather: Entry is fully restricted to protect the frescoes

• Status Updates:

  • Check the South Moravian Museum website

  • Call the museum’s information hotline

Visiting Hours & Tours

• Daily Hours: 9:15 AM – 4:45 PM

• Tour Frequency: Every 30 minutes

• Group Size: Maximum of 15 visitors per tour

Booking & Practical Tips

• Advance Booking: Strongly recommended

• Ticket Cut‑off: Sales close 5 minutes before each tour

• Arrival Advice: Aim to arrive at least 10 minutes early to allow for ticketing and microclimate checks