Church of Saint John the Baptist (Široký Důl)

The Church of Saint John the Baptist is the oldest monument in Široký Důl, a small village in the Pardubice Region, set within the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. The first historical record of the church dates back to 1347, making it one of the oldest sacred buildings in this part of the region.

How old is the church, and what is its history?

Written records connected to the church go back to the mid-14th century, with 1347 standing as the earliest known date tied to the site. Over the centuries the church has remained the focal point of the small village and is still regarded as its oldest surviving landmark. The village itself carries a curiosity of its own: Široký Důl is the only municipality in the Czech Republic to bear this name, which is one of the reasons travelers looking for lesser-known spots on the map end up here.

What does the Church of Saint John the Baptist look like?

The building is modest in size, with the simple, elongated layout typical of rural churches from this period. It is a single-nave structure — the nave measures 8.2 by 6.6 metres internally — with a rectangular presbytery attached. The building's small scale does not diminish its historical importance: this type of compact, single-nave village church is exactly what illustrates the sacred architecture of the old Czech countryside.

Where exactly is Široký Důl located?

The village lies roughly 3 kilometres northwest of Polička, in the Pardubice Region, within the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. It sits at an elevation of 517 metres above sea level. The church's coordinates are 49.74599 N, 16.219715 E. Cycling route KČT No. 4107 runs through the village, making it an easily reachable stop for anyone touring the area around Polička by bike.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Besides the church, the village is home to a protected linden tree, roughly 400 years old, with a trunk circumference of 4.7 metres. Together with the church, it gives Široký Důl its local character and makes the village worth a short stop while exploring the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Široký Důl? The earliest known record of the church dates from 1347, making it the oldest monument in the village.

How big is the church? It is a small, single-nave building — the nave measures 8.2 by 6.6 metres internally, with an attached rectangular presbytery.

How do you get to Široký Důl? The village lies about 3 km northwest of Polička, in the Pardubice Region. Cycling route KČT No. 4107 passes through the village.

Is there anything else to see in Široký Důl besides the church? Yes — the village has a protected linden tree, around 400 years old, with a circumference of 4.7 metres.

Is Široký Důl a common village name in the Czech Republic? No — it is the only municipality in the Czech Republic that carries this name.