Church of Saint Florian in Střítež

The Church of Saint Florian stands on a wooded hill east of the village of Střítež in the Jihlava District, right next to the local cemetery. It's a small, late Baroque church that replaced an earlier branch church destroyed by fire in the night between April 30 and May 1, 1808 — only the outer walls of that original building survived the blaze. The current structure was built on the same spot in 1848.

What does the church look like?

The building has a central floor plan with a flat ceiling inside and an octagonal dome topped by a lantern on the outside. The roof is covered in sheet metal, while the exterior walls are finished in gray brizolite plaster — a coarse-textured render commonly used in 19th-century rural church buildings in the Vysočina region. The plain, unadorned exterior contrasts with the richer furnishings found inside.

What's inside?

The main altar holds a Baroque statue of Saint Florian dating back to the mid-18th century — the oldest surviving piece of the church's furnishings, one that outlasted the 1808 fire. The rest of the interior decoration, done in various historicizing styles, dates from the 19th century and was added once the church was rebuilt.

What is the history behind the church?

Until 1897, the church served as a branch church subordinate to the parish in Ždírec, before its administrative status changed. An earlier church already stood on this site in the mid-18th century, but it burned down overnight between April 30 and May 1, 1808. Reconstruction in the current late Baroque form was completed in 1848. Because of its historical and architectural value, the building was listed as a cultural monument on May 3, 1958.

Why is it worth a visit?

The Church of Saint Florian is a good example of the modest rural church architecture typical of the Vysočina region — plain on the outside, but with preserved Baroque detail inside that predates the 1808 fire. Its scenic hillside setting among trees, next to the village cemetery, makes it a worthwhile short stop while exploring the area around Jihlava.

Frequently asked questions

When was the current church in Střítež built? The current late Baroque building dates from 1848, built on the site of an earlier church that burned down in 1808.

What survived the 1808 fire? Only the outer walls of the original church remained standing; the interior had to be rebuilt almost from scratch.

What is the most valuable piece inside? The Baroque statue of Saint Florian on the main altar, dating from the mid-18th century — older than the current church building itself.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a cultural monument since May 3, 1958.

Where exactly is the church located? On a wooded hill east of the center of Střítež, in the Jihlava District, directly next to the local cemetery.