Tvarožná – Churches, Santon and the History of the Battle

Tvarožná brings together sacred architectural history and memorial sites commemorating the Battle of Slavkov with its own natural features. As you plan your trip, you can explore the churches and artworks in the village, sites associated with Santon, and the nature trail and cycling routes as distinct highlights. Buildings from different periods stand alongside memorials and a protected landscape.

Churches and architectural history

The Church of St. Nicholas is one of Tvarožná’s prominent architectural landmarks and is a cultural monument. Its Neo-Gothic structure was built in 1880–1881 on the site of a church that had already existed in the first half of the 14th century. The pilgrimage chapel of Panny Marie Sněžné on Santon tells a different architectural story: it was built in 1832 on the foundations of a wooden chapel dating from 1700. If you are interested in sacred architecture, these two buildings illustrate different historical connections—from the medieval predecessor of the parish church to the former wooden chapel on Santon.

Sculptures and memorials

In the central part of the village square stand the Tvaroženské Venuše: three bronze sculptures of stylized women by Vladimír Drápal, each mounted on a concrete plinth. Also on the village square, by the stream, is a statue of St. John of Nepomuk. Its artist is unknown; the statue is listed as a monument. Two memorials are associated with Václav Kosmák, a parish priest and writer from Tvarožná. Grateful parishioners erected the memorial below the church in 1923. Kosmákův kříž, by contrast, is a polychrome Art Nouveau wooden cross by Matouš Plotěný. It was erected in 1893 to commemorate Kosmák’s farewell to the local parishioners.

Another monument commemorates racing driver Bedřich Soffer. The concrete monument, in the Functionalist style, stands at the spot where the 30-year-old died on 15 September 1928 during a test drive. A building from the former windmill is also part of the village’s architectural history: it dates from the third quarter of the 19th century and is locally known as Bahnerův mlýn, or the Bahner Mill. These architectural and memorial sites differ in purpose, design and period—from a listed monument to a cross and a memorial to a racing driver.

Commemorating the Battle of Slavkov

The diorama of the Battle of Slavkov was donated to the municipality of Tvarožná in 1990 by the Vienna-based Deutschmeister Schützenkorps group; it was created by Alfred Frühwirth. It is on the first floor of the municipal office. Another military-history exhibit is the Jeannette replica, a copy of a French Gribeauval-pattern 8-pounder cannon used in the Battle of Slavkov. On the north wall of the chapel on Santon, the Gallery of Military Leaders displays portraits of commanders who led troops in the area around Santon during the battle.

Santon is also home to the remains of trenches dug by French soldiers in 1805 while fortifying the hill. The site of these field fortifications is part of the Santon Natural Monument. The reenactments also have a historical context: by 2007 at the latest, Santon in Tvarožná had been the setting for one of the main events in the commemorations of the Battle of Slavkov for more than 25 years—a reenactment of the battle.

Landscape and trails

Santon is a rocky steppe on Kulm conglomerates, with specially protected plant species. It covers 0.39 hectares. Below Tvarožná, a wetland lies at the confluence of the Tvaroženský potok and the Roketnice, providing a habitat for numerous waterbirds. The natural features therefore differ: Santon is notable for its geology and protected plants, while the confluence provides a habitat for waterbirds.

The Trail of the Battle of the Three Emperors was established in 2003 by the nonprofit organization Mohyla míru-Austerlitz. It leads to viewing points commemorating important locations on the former battlefield. Trails from the Rohlenka rest stop and from Tvarožná end at the chapel of Panny Marie Sněžné; check the exact route locally to help you find your way. Cycle routes also pass through Tvarožná, following routes across the battlefield of the Battle of the Three Emperors and through the Brno wine region. As route details may change, it is advisable to check the current route before setting out on a bike ride.

Discover more destinations: Hrušovany U Brna, Zhoř, Šumice, Lelekovice, Dolní Loučky, Moutnice, Vranovice, Tetčice

For the broader travel overview: Brno-Country District.