Holy Trinity Church

Holy Trinity Church stands on the eastern edge of the historic center of Žďár nad Sázavou, inside the Lower Cemetery (Dolní hřbitov) — one of the most unusual Baroque cemetery complexes in the Czech Republic. It's a small building, but an architecturally dense one, where plain Renaissance origins meet the geometric ingenuity of Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel.

Where does the church come from?

The building dates back to the late 17th century, when it was raised as a modest, late-Renaissance cemetery or hospital chapel — a plain, unadorned structure typical of provincial sacred architecture of the period. It wasn't until the early 18th century, around 1715, that architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel — the man behind the nearby monastery and the Church of St. Procopius — added a sacristy to it. That single addition turned an unremarkable chapel into one of the more compelling examples of Baroque Gothic architecture in the Vysočina region.

What should you look for?

Santini's sacristy sits directly behind the chancel, connected to it along the same axis. He designed it on the plan of an equilateral triangle — a deliberate choice, since the triangle is a classic symbol of the Holy Trinity, the church's patron. The sacristy's facades are kept flat and unornamented on purpose, divided only by pilasters and topped with a profiled cornice, while the roof takes on a distinctive bell-like shape. The most recognizable feature is a window shaped like a spherical triangle — a motif Santini used across his major works, and here it bridges the plain Renaissance body of the church with bold Baroque geometry.

The church itself stands within the Lower Cemetery, founded in 1709 on the initiative of Abbot Václav Vejmluva in response to the threat of a plague epidemic (one that, in the end, spared the Žďár estate). The cemetery was laid out according to symbolism referencing a skull shape, with three elliptical chapels arranged around it — together forming one of the most conceptually unified funerary complexes of Czech Baroque. Local legend holds that Alois Ulrich, a 19th-century steward of the Žďár castle estate known as "the last Czech vampire" for his cruelty toward his subjects, is buried here.

How do you get there?

The church and cemetery are within walking distance of the Žďár monastery and the Church of St. Procopius, on the eastern edge of town — a natural stop on any tour of Santini's work in the Vysočina region. It's worth pairing the visit with the nearby monastery complex, since both were built around the same time and commissioned by the same patrons.

When should you visit?

Today the church serves mainly a funerary function — services are held here for funerals and on the feast of the Holy Trinity, so interior access can be limited outside those occasions. The cemetery grounds and the exterior architecture, however, are open for viewing during the day year-round. As with most historic cemeteries in the region, spring and summer are the most rewarding times to visit, when the surrounding greenery sets off the austerity of the Baroque composition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Holy Trinity Church the same as the Church of St. Procopius in Žďár? No — they're two separate buildings. Holy Trinity Church stands within the Lower Cemetery and serves a funerary function, while the Church of St. Procopius is the town's main parish church.

Who designed the church's sacristy? The sacristy was added around 1715 by architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel, known for the distinctive Baroque Gothic style he spread across the Vysočina region.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it is registered as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

What does the sacristy's triangular floor plan symbolize? The equilateral triangle is a direct reference to the church's dedication to the Holy Trinity — one of Santini's favorite geometric motifs, repeated throughout his body of work.