Church of Saint George

The Church of Saint George stands in the village of Hřídelec, part of the town of Lázně Bělohrad in the Jičín District of the Hradec Králové Region, in the northeastern Czech Republic. This small stone church serves as a branch church of the Roman Catholic parish based in Lázně Bělohrad, and it makes a quiet, low-key addition to a trip through the gentle countryside of the Podkrkonoší foothills.

How do you get to the church?

Hřídelec sits on the outskirts of Lázně Bělohrad, itself a small spa town not far from Jičín, in a region known for its mild, hilly landscape and its historic spa tradition. The easiest way to reach the village is by car or bicycle from the center of Lázně Bělohrad, following country roads through open fields and low hills typical of this part of the Hradec Králové Region. Because the church sits off the main tourist routes, it appeals more to travelers who enjoy tracking down modest local landmarks during a longer stay in the area than to those following a packed sightseeing itinerary.

What is the history behind the building?

The current stone church is not the first place of worship on this site. An earlier wooden church, dating back to the 16th century, once stood here before eventually falling into disrepair and needing replacement. The foundation stone for the new church was laid on 21 May 1839, and construction took roughly two and a half years to complete. Toward the end of the 20th century the building underwent renovation work, after which it was reconsecrated on 28 August 1998 — a date that marked the completion of repairs and the church's return to full religious use for the local community.

What will you find on site?

Today the church functions as a filial (branch) church of the Lázně Bělohrad parish, meaning it does not have its own resident priest but is served as part of the wider parish community. The building itself reflects the modest, rural sacred architecture typical of 19th-century villages in this region — a simple, legible form without elaborate ornamentation, sitting comfortably within the surrounding farmland and hills. Just outside the village rises Hřídelecká hůra, a small hill of volcanic origin that is often visited together with the church on a short walk — a natural pairing for anyone curious about both local history and the area's geology.

When is the best time to visit?

Because this is a branch church rather than the main parish church, access for visitors depends on the service schedule set by the Lázně Bělohrad parish, so it is worth checking locally rather than assuming fixed opening hours. Travelers planning time in the region will get the most out of a visit by basing themselves in Lázně Bělohrad itself, where the main parish church and the town's spa facilities are located, and treating the short trip out to Hřídelec as a relaxed side excursion.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the church in Hřídelec dedicated to? The church is dedicated to Saint George the Martyr and serves as a branch church within the Roman Catholic parish of Lázně Bělohrad.

When was the current church building constructed? The foundation stone was laid on 21 May 1839, and construction took about two and a half years; the new stone church replaced an earlier wooden church from the 16th century.

Has the church been renovated recently? Yes — it underwent renovation work toward the end of the 20th century and was reconsecrated on 28 August 1998.

What else is worth seeing nearby? Just outside Hřídelec lies Hřídelecká hůra, a small hill of volcanic origin popular with visitors who like to combine sightseeing with a short countryside walk.