Kostel svatého Jana Nepomuckého (Slatina) Church

The Church of Saint John of Nepomuk in Slatina stands on the southern side of the village square and is surrounded by a cemetery. It is a Gothic structure that was later modified in the Baroque style and again in the 19th century. Since 1964 it has been protected as a cultural monument.

Slatina is documented in writing as early as 1057 in the founding charter of the Litoměřice chapter. In 1319 the village was granted in perpetuity by the Litoměřice provost, who was Vojtěch z Dubé at that time. The parish church is mentioned here in 1384. According to stylistic analysis of the preserved parts, it was built after the mid-14th century. Given the age and significance of the village, it was probably preceded by an older building.

From the Gothic period, the perimeter walls have been preserved, especially in the presbytery, as well as the triumphal arch. The church was rebuilt in 1597 and again in the first half of the 18th century, possibly in 1746. At that time its dedication may have changed as well. Further modifications came in the 19th century. The present external appearance therefore stands at the boundary between Baroque and Classicism, in a very rural execution.

The dominant feature of the church and the entire village is a massive Renaissance prismatic tower at the northwestern corner of the nave. It was built in 1595. This is documented by a chronogram and an inscribed text carved on the distinctive northern portal with sculptural decoration. In the highest story of the tower are large windows capped with semicircles.

The church has one rectangular nave and a pentagonal choir, which has stepped buttresses. On the northern side, a sacristy adjoins the presbytery and connects to the tower. The western façade has a portal with a triangular pediment.

Inside, the presbytery is vaulted with a cross rib vault, with a fan vault in the choir section. The ribs rest on cone-shaped and profile consoles. The pointed triumphal arch separates the presbytery from the nave, which has a flat ceiling and a brick gallery.

The high altar is Rococo, modified in the 19th century. It features a painting of Saint John of Nepomuk from the same century. The pulpit was made in 1747 by the carpenter Polák from Třebenic. The painting of the Holy Family dates from the first half of the 18th century. The oldest work is a Gothic Madonna from 1380 to 1390. The church also contains Rococo tin candlesticks.

Southeast of the church, on the former cemetery, stands a Baroque charnel house from the first half of the 18th century. Its façade is capped with a pediment with pilasters, a small window, and winged walls.