Church of St John the Baptist in Slavoňov

Slavoňov 24, 549 01 Nové Město nad Metují
+420 499 399 743 | hronek.vladimir@dihk.cz

Opening hours:
Visits to the church interior can be arranged by phone (see the number above).

The all-wooden church in Slavoňov was built in 1553. Besides the cemetery, the church grounds also include a prismatic bell tower from 1555 and a log-built mortuary with a square ground plan dating from the 18th century.

A timber church with vibrant painted decoration

The first mention of the church—originally a parish church—dates back to 1384. The bell tower was most likely built around the same time and now houses three bells. The largest, John the Baptist, weighs 1,200 kg and was cast in 1773. The middle bell, known as John of Nepomuk, was cast in 1561 and weighs 600 kg. The smallest, Wenceslas, dates from 1950.

The present wooden church was built in 1553, thanks to the wealthy Koltaček farming family from nearby Blažkov. It was constructed as a log building from fir and oak trunks.

The church first belonged to the Utraquists, as shown by the chalice carved on the crossbeam between the nave and the chancel. The beam also depicts the twelve apostles. Paintings on the choir panelling include miners and St Barbara (the patron saint of miners), the Stubenberg spouses, and an image of a nobleman granting mining rights—evidence that iron ore was once mined here.

In 1705, the church received its richly colourful decoration, but the paintings were later whitewashed and even overpainted with oil paint. The oldest paintings are on vertical boards that were decorated before the church was built. The coffered ceiling was painted by Eliáš and Jindřich Dominik Köhler—also in 1705. The original paintings were restored in 1970–1973 by Professor František Mervart from Dvůr Králové.

The church contains valuable heritage features, including a 17th-century wooden baptismal font in the folk Baroque style, as well as a pulpit and organ from the same period.

Originally, the church was dedicated to St Martin. By 1683, St John the Baptist had become its patron, as confirmed by an inscription on the main altar.

Contact:

Church of St John the Baptist in Slavoňov
Slavoňov 24
549 01 Nové Město nad Metují

+420 499 399 743
hronek.vladimir@dihk.cz
www.slavonov.cz/kostel-sv-jana-krtitele

info@muzeumnm.cz
+420 491 472 119

Tourist Information Centre
Nové Město nad Metují
Husovo náměstí 1225
549 01 Nové Město nad Metují

+420 491 472 119
info@muzeumnm.cz
www.mestonaskale/informacni-centrum

Opening hours

Tourist season (May–September)
Mon–Sun: 9.00–17.00
Lunch break: 12.00–12.30

Off-season (October–April)
Mon–Fri: 9.00–16.00
Sat: 10.00–16.00
Sun: Closed
Lunch break: 12.00–12.30