St. Matthew's Church in Hradíšťko

St. Matthew's Church in Hradíšťko, a village that forms part of the municipality of Žeretice, is a Roman Catholic church standing on a high hill above the Cidlina stream. Today it serves as a subsidiary (filial) church, although for centuries it was a parish church. The building has been listed as a protected cultural monument since 22 February 1994.

Where exactly is the church located?

Hradíšťko lies on a secondary road about 2 km north of the small town of Vysoké Veselí. The church stands on high ground overlooking the surrounding area and is clearly visible from a distance, forming an architectural landmark for both the village and the wider landscape. Its coordinates are 50.354078 N, 15.427559 E.

What is the history behind the church?

The church was built on the site of an earlier chapel. The first written mention of a place of worship here dates back to 1384, making it one of the older documented sacred sites in the region. The building's current form is the result of an Early Baroque reconstruction carried out between 1674 and 1677. A further significant architectural intervention took place in 1792, when the church received Late Baroque alterations. These two building phases shaped the appearance the church still has today.

What does the architecture look like?

The church has a single-nave layout on a rectangular ground plan, with a presbytery closed on three sides. Inside, the ceiling stands out for its decoration — stucco work and paintings dating from the end of the 17th century, created shortly after the Early Baroque rebuilding. The interior furnishings, unlike the structure itself, are largely Rococo in style and date from around the mid-18th century.

What is worth seeing inside?

The side altars deserve particular attention, as they hold paintings by two Czech artists. Some of the works are by Jan Jiří Köppel (1700–1769), while others were painted by Josef Kramolín (1730–1802). Both artists were active during the period when the church received its Rococo furnishings, which explains the stylistic coherence between the interior decoration and that era.

Why is it worth a visit?

St. Matthew's Church is an example of a small rural church where historical layers — a medieval origin, a Baroque structure, and Rococo furnishings — overlap in a way that is easy for visitors to trace. Its hilltop position above the Cidlina stream means that simply reaching the church rewards visitors with views over the surrounding Podkrkonoší landscape, and the building's prominent silhouette serves as a landmark for anyone travelling through this part of the region.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church in Hradíšťko a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a cultural monument since 22 February 1994.

Is it still a parish church? No, it currently functions as a subsidiary church, although historically it was a parish church.

Where does the church's current appearance come from? From two building phases: the Early Baroque reconstruction of 1674–1677 and the Late Baroque alterations of 1792.

How far is the church from the nearest town? Hradíšťko is located about 2 km north of Vysoké Veselí, on a secondary road.

Whose paintings can be seen on the side altars? Works by Jan Jiří Köppel (1700–1769) and Josef Kramolín (1730–1802).