Kostel svatého Jana Křtitele (Vřeskovice) Church

The Church of Visiting the Virgin Mary in Vrískovice presents an interesting composition of architectural styles. Due to its elevated position and significant tower, it becomes a landscape dominant, which orients the view of the landscape from far away. The temple has been protected since 1958 as a cultural monument and serves as a centre of the personal parish of extraordinary rites.

The origin of the church goes deep into the Middle Ages. It is assumed that it was created in the first half of the 14th century, although some sources date back to the end of the 13th century. The first written mention of the church dates back to 1384. From this time, the presbytery in its original Gothic form has been preserved to date. In the 16th century, probably in 1592-1593, the church underwent reconstruction. However, the most fundamental transformation was made in 1870 when a reconstruction was carried out combining a classical and neo-Baroque style. At that time, the original single ship was built from both sides by side ships, thereby gaining a tripod character. There was also a breach of the arcades, a new encroachment of the middle ship and a reconstruction of the presbyterium. The tower was increased by the second and third floors, supplemented by a stairwell and attached oratoriums. In the 20th century the church was kept continuously, with repairs in 1933, 1940, 1989 and 1999- 2000.

The building form of the church speaks of a long process of ongoing modifications. The tripod layout was established in the 19th century, when side boats spread around the original temple hall (originally 13 metres long and 7.5 metres wide). These are separated from the middle ship by wide arches and square pillar. The presbytery is terminated by a five-sided conclusion with a radiant clasp. The Segment Victory Arch separates the presbytery from the rest of the temple. A high three-story clock tower is adjacent to the left side of the presbytery. The ship's space is illuminated by four windows from each side with semi-rounded peaks. There is a cemetery around the church with a neo-Baroque morgue built in 1870.

The interior of the temple is mostly baroque. The dominant is the main altar of St. John the Baptist from the 18th century, decorated with a painting of the Baptist Christ and an oily one with the motif of the head of St. John the Baptist. Part of the altar are statues of St. Peter and St. Paul in natural size. The side altars with the paintings of the Holy Philomena and the Virgin Mary also come from the Baroque era, as well as the statue of St. Felix. The interior is supplemented by an ambony with three reliefs representing Christ as a shepherd, Saint John the Baptist in the desert and Christ as a sower. The tin baptizer is decorated with two allied coats of arms: the grave eagle and the cross-edged blade. In the right ship lies two tombstones of red marble with figures of man and woman - Elizabeth Šic and Albrecht Šice from Drahonice. The organ dates back to 1863 from Prague's master Josef Garther and Ferdinand Guth from Clean near Rakovnik. Four bells were stored in the tower of the temple, the two oldest of which dates back to 1465 and 1514. During World War II, three bells were seized, the largest of which was later returned.

The Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary is a place where the story of the construction from the late Middle Ages to the present days is bound. Architectural value, rich interior and landscape location make it an interesting goal for those interested in Czech ecclesiastical architecture and regional history.