Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Skřípov

The Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Skřípov stands on a rise above the village of Skřípov in the Drahany Highlands, in the Olomouc Region of Moravia, roughly 5 km west of the small town of Konice. It is the village's principal landmark and part of a wider heritage ensemble that also includes four chapels and two stone crosses.

Where is the church and how do you get there?

Skřípov lies on the Drahany Highlands, in the Olomouc Region, a short distance from Konice. The village once stood along an old trade route linking Olomouc with the Bohemian lands, which explains its historical standing as one of the larger settlements in the highlands. The church itself sits on elevated ground above the village, making it visible from a distance and a natural point of orientation for anyone travelling through the area.

What does the church look like?

The church is a relatively spacious building whose position makes deliberate use of the local terrain - it stands on a rise, which reinforces its role as the dominant structure of the village. Directly behind the church lies a cemetery that is still in active use today. The church continues to serve its parish, with a Roman Catholic parish based in Skřípov covering the surrounding villages.

When was the church built, and what is its history?

The church, dedicated to the Ascension of the Lord, was built and consecrated in 1792, at a time when Skřípov ranked among the larger villages of the Drahany Highlands. Its construction reflected the growing importance of a settlement that lay along the communication route between Olomouc and the Bohemian lands.

What else belongs to the heritage ensemble?

The church does not stand alone - together with its surroundings it forms a coherent group of minor sacred architecture. This includes four wayside chapels, the largest of which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and two stone crosses set within the village and its vicinity. In 2004, the entire ensemble - the church, the chapels and the crosses - was registered as a group on the list of cultural monuments of the Czech Republic, confirming its historical and landscape value for the region.

Is the church in Skřípov worth visiting?

This is a destination for travellers looking for the quieter, lesser-known corners of the Drahany Highlands. The church, together with its accompanying chapels and crosses, offers a clear and complete picture of rural sacred architecture typical of a Moravian village at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. The rise on which the church stands also opens up views over the surrounding Drahany Highlands landscape, making it a worthwhile short stop while exploring the area around Konice.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church in Skřípov? It stands on a rise above the village of Skřípov in the Drahany Highlands, Olomouc Region, about 5 km west of Konice.

When was the church built? It was built and consecrated in 1792.

Who is the church dedicated to? The Ascension of the Lord (Nanebevstoupení Páně).

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, together with four chapels and two stone crosses it forms an ensemble registered in 2004 on the list of cultural monuments of the Czech Republic.

What else is worth seeing near the church? The largest of the four chapels, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, two stone crosses, and an active cemetery located directly behind the church.

How do you get to Skřípov? The easiest way is by car from Konice, about 5 km away, or from Olomouc via local roads through the Drahany Highlands.