Church of Saint Giles

The Church of Saint Giles is a small classicist church in Dobrá Voda, a settlement that belongs to the municipality of Mrákotín in the Jihlava District, in the Vysočina (Highlands) region, roughly 6 km west of Telč. Standing on a low hill, the building has served as the parish church for the wider area for generations.

How old is this church?

The current classicist structure dates from 1806–1807. It replaced a much older Gothic chapel first documented in written records back in 1398. That means the site has held a religious function since the late Middle Ages, even though the building visitors see today is the result of an early-19th-century rebuild, a style typical of rural churches across this part of the Vysočina region.

What role does the church play locally?

Mrákotín, the municipality Dobrá Voda administratively belongs to, has been a parish seat continuously since the Middle Ages. The Church of Saint Giles is therefore more than a historic monument — it remains an active place of worship around which the religious life of several surrounding villages is organized. This continuity, from a medieval Gothic chapel to today's classicist church, is characteristic of many rural parishes in the Vysočina region, where each generation rebuilt the church according to the taste of its time while preserving the same site and dedication.

Where exactly is the church, and how do you get there?

Dobrá Voda sits in the heart of the Vysočina region, known for its rolling landscape, forests and granite outcrops. The nearest larger town is Telč, about 6 km away — a visit to the Church of Saint Giles pairs well with a walk through Telč's UNESCO-listed historic square. The region is well suited to exploring by car or bicycle, and the quiet, low-traffic roads connecting the surrounding villages make it easy to turn the visit into a longer countryside trip through Vysočina.

What should you know before visiting?

As an active place of worship, the church's interior may not be open to visitors outside of service times, so it is worth checking locally before arriving. The building itself, set on its hill, is visible and accessible from the outside year-round, and the surrounding area offers a good vantage point over the countryside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the Church of Saint Giles located? In Dobrá Voda, part of the municipality of Mrákotín, in the Jihlava District, Vysočina region, about 6 km west of Telč.

When was the current church building constructed? The current classicist building dates from 1806–1807.

Was there an earlier church on this site? Yes — a Gothic chapel stood here previously, first documented in 1398.

Is the church still an active parish church? Yes, Mrákotín has been a parish seat continuously since the Middle Ages, and the Church of Saint Giles remains its parish church.