Church of Saint Joseph in Žulová

The Church of Saint Joseph in Žulová is a small but unusual church in the Jeseník district, where the tower dates back to a medieval castle while the nave is a product of the early 19th century. This mix of eras makes the building stand out among the village churches of the Olomouc region.

Why does the church have a castle tower?

Before a church ever stood on this spot, the site was occupied by the Gothic castle of Frýdberk. As the stronghold lost its military purpose and gradually fell into disrepair, one element survived largely intact: a sturdy bergfried-type tower, originally built as the castle's last line of defense. Rather than demolishing it, builders later incorporated the old tower into the new church, adding only a small belfry on top. As a result, the church in Žulová has one of the few towers in the region with a purely defensive, rather than religious, origin.

Why did the town have to wait for its own church?

Žulová was granted town rights in 1793 and quickly grew into a local administrative center known also for stone quarrying, drawing on the granite deposits in the surrounding hills. Despite this growing importance, the town went without its own parish for years — residents belonged to the parish in nearby Skorošice, meaning an extra trip was needed for Mass and other services. The situation changed in 1805, when land and buildings were donated specifically for the construction of a church for the town.

How was the nave built?

Construction of the single-nave church body took place between 1809 and 1810. The architects chose a restrained Classicist style, typical of small churches from this period — modest in ornamentation but consistent in its proportions and symmetry. The new nave was attached directly to the medieval tower, which from that point on served as the church tower, topped by its modest belfry addition.

What can visitors see today?

The Church of Saint Joseph has been listed as a cultural monument since 1963, recognizing its value both as a remnant of a medieval castle and as an example of early 19th-century provincial Classicism. In 2017, a restoration of the church tower and its clock was completed, leaving the building in good technical and visual condition. The church still functions as an active parish church and remains a landmark in Žulová's skyline.

Frequently asked questions

Does the church tower really come from a castle? Yes. The surviving bergfried-type tower is a remnant of the Gothic castle of Frýdberk, which once stood on this site. Only a small belfry was later added on top of it.

When was the church building itself constructed? The single-nave Classicist body was built between 1809 and 1810, following a 1805 decision to donate the land for the project.

Why did Žulová need its own church only in the early 19th century? Although the town received city rights in 1793, it lacked its own parish for years and belonged to the parish in Skorošice — this only changed in the early 19th century.

Is the church protected as a historic monument? Yes, it has been listed as a cultural monument since 1963. A restoration of the tower and clock was completed in 2017, preserving its historic character.