Basilica of the Virgin Mary and St. Wenceslas / Bazilika Panny Marie a Sv. Václava - Louka (Znojmo, South Moravia) - Roman Catholic Churches on Waymarking.com

The Basilica of the Virgin Mary' Assumption and St. Wenceslas (Bazilika Nanebevzetí Panny Marie a Sv. Václava), a key structure of the former Premonstrate Abbey in Znojmo - Louka, can serve as an encyclopaedia of architectural styles.

The main church of the former Premonstrate Louka Abbey, once the biggest medieval domain of the Znojmo Region, is really a virtual encyclopaedia of architectural styles starting from the Romanesque up to the Baroque via High-Gothic and Renaissance. The Premonstrate order began to build the church in the start of the 13th century in Late Romanesque style. In the basements, crypt with impressive pillars, lower part of the walls and the eastern apse you can still find many elements of this architectural style. After heavy damage during Hussite wars (1425), the church was reconstructed in the Gothic style and lately the central nave was reshaped Renaissancely. The present exterior of the Basilica and also complex of the Abbey is Early-Baroque. The two western towers and the whole front of the Basilica, with statue of St. Wenceslas at the central top niche, have richly decorated Baroque face.