kostel svatého Matouše (Lipoltice) Church
St. Matthew's Church is located in the heart of the village Lipoltice in the district of Pardubice, where it forms an important dominant landscape. The building is protected as a cultural monument and is kept in the catalogue under registration number 45814 / 6-2112. The church is also equipped with a 18th-century Baroque skeleton in an adjacent cemetery which shares the same cultural protection status.
The Gothic roots of the church range around 1280. Originally, the whole area was fortified with a wall and a deep moat - it is one of the old fortified churches. The Gothic features of the construction are still visible on the preserved cross vault and Gothic window. The church belonged to the archdeacon of smoke and deanery of Chaslav. The parish was established by Prague Archbishop in 1350 as plebania and 14 years later, in 1384, the church had its own priest.
The construction has undergone several reconstructions and repairs over the centuries. Mr. Romedie of the Thun has initiated a larger reconstruction that has changed the shape of the temple. In 1870 a thorough repair was carried out, during which old frescoes appeared on the walls of the church. Around 1892, there was a strong enlargement. The original gothic presbytery was destroyed and the ship was extended to the exit. At the same time, the church received a new ceiling and roof construction - but the old frescos died again. The church tower, built above the entrance and completed with a wooden round beating running at the top, was repaired in 1900. The area as a whole was completed in 1849 and last restored in 1989- 1993.
It's an architectural three-boat, oriented temple. The boat measures 11 meters in length and 10.50 meters in width, presbytery 6.60 to 5.40 meters and circle 5.50 to 4.90 meters. Sacristy reaches 3.75 to 2.20 meters. Interior is decorated by academic painter Josef Ottmar from Ústí nad Orlicí.
The church's facilities carry a rich artistic heritage. The main altar is decorated by the painting of St. Matthew by academic painter Josef Papáček from Chrudim. Under the crust stands the wooden statues of St. Francis Serafinsky and St. Francis of Paula, carving work two metres high and 0.60 metres wide. The baron baptizer reaches a height of 1.70 meters and a width of 0.60 meters. On the tower there is a bell of 0.70 metres tall and 0.60 metres wide with a valuable inscription: "This bell shone to the glory of God's Master Ondřej Bird in the Mountains of Kutná L. P. 1513" - a work from the beginning of the 16th century, which bears witness to the long tradition of Christianity in this place.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- approximately 1280
- The creation of an original Gothic church with a fortified area.
- 1350
- Establishing a lipolistic parish as plebania.
- 1849
- Conquering the church grounds.
- 1892
- Extensive church reconstruction, destruction of original frescoes.
- 1989-1993
- Last repair of the church.
Architectural development
The original Gothic church from the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries was fortified by a wall and moat. In the 19th century it underwent a radical reconstruction, when it was extended and received a new three-boat form with historical interior. The wood-fighting tower was repaired in 1900. The church was painted by an academic painter Josef Ottmar. The area was supplemented with a Baroque skeleton and a fenced wall with a gate.
Historical events
- 1350
- The establishment of a lipolistic parish by Prague Archbishop as plebania.
- 1384
- The first documented vicar in the lipolistic parish.
- 1892
- Extensive reconstruction of the church, during which the original Gothic presbytery was demolished and the ship extended.
Points of interest
- St. Matthew's Church is protected as a cultural monument and is kept in the catalogue of the National Heritage Institute under registration number 45814 / 6-2112.
- The church area also includes a 18th century baron skeleton in an adjacent cemetery, which has the same cultural protection status.
- The church has Gothic roots from around 1280, originally fortified by a wall and a deep moat.
- In 1350 it was established by Prague Archbishop as plebania and 14 years later, in 1384, he had his own vicar.
- The bell on the tower dates back to the beginning of the 16th century and bears the inscription: "This bell has shined to the glory of God, Master Ondřej Bird on the Mountains of Kutný L. P. 1513.".
Guide
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This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
The Church of Saint Matthew stands in the center of Lipoltice in the Pardubice region and forms a striking landmark of the entire village. Together with the adjacent cemetery, it is protected as a cultural monument. The church complex also includes a Baroque ossuary from the eighteenth century, which stands in the cemetery next to the church.
The church is of Gothic origin and dates from around the year 1280. It is among the old fortified churches: its complex was originally surrounded by a wall and a ditch two to three meters deep. The Gothic beginnings are still recalled today by the preserved ribbed vault and a Gothic window. The Lipoltice church belonged to the archdeaconry of Kouřim and the deanery of Čáslav. In the year 1350, the Prague archbishopric established a parish in Lipoltice as a parish church, and by 1384 there was already a vicar working there.
The building underwent a series of reconstructions and repairs. It was originally somewhat smaller than it is today, and was rebuilt into its present form by Romedius of Thun. The church complex was completed in the year 1849. During a thorough renovation in 1870, old paintings were discovered on the walls. Around the year 1892, however, came a dramatic expansion: the Gothic presbytery was demolished, the nave was extended to the east, it received a new ceiling, and the entire church received new roof timbers. During this extension, the old frescoes were destroyed again. The church was last renovated between 1989 and 1993.
The parish church is three-aisled and oriented. The nave measures eleven meters in length and ten and a half meters in width. The tower stands above the entrance and ends with a wooden round cupola that tapers to a point. It was renovated in the year 1900. The interior painting was done by academic painter Josef Ottmar from Ústí nad Orlicí.
On the main altar is a painting of Saint Matthew by academic painter Josef Papáček from Chrudim. Below the gallery stand two-meter wooden carved statues of Saint Francis Seraphic and Saint Francis of Paula. The Baroque baptismal font is one meter and seventy centimeters high. On the tower hangs a bell with an inscription according to which Master Ondřej Ptáček cast it to the glory of God in Kutná Hora in the year of our Lord 1513.
Tips for visitors
Best time to visit St. Matthew's church in Lipoltice is in the morning when the light is favourable to photography and the place is quieter. The ideal period is spring or autumn, when nature is full of beauty around the church and there are fewer tourists than in the summer months. The sunny morning or afternoon with mild lighting creates the best conditions to capture details of Gothic architecture.
The church is available by car, parking is possible in the nearby area, it is advisable to check the specific place before travelling. The location is also connected by public transport, the current connection can be found in the traffic search engine. It is recommended to arrive at the place sufficiently in advance, especially in the summer months when the parking lot can be filled in.
When visiting, take comfortable shoes because the church and its surroundings offer several terrain sections. We also recommend that you pack a map or mobile application with navigation so that you can easily find other attractions in the surroundings such as the Baroque skeleton in the cemetery. If you are planning to photograph, do not forget the camera or smartphone with sufficient memory capacity.
The best places for photography are the inner space of the church, especially those with preserved Gothic elements such as the cross vault and the Gothic window. Outside, it is ideal to capture a general view of the church in the sunlight, where details of the facade are displayed. It is recommended to take pictures in a favourable light such as morning or afternoon to avoid shadows and direct sun.
In the vicinity of Lipoltic in 30 minutes you can visit the Baroque skeleton located in the cemetery near St. Matthew's church. This monument is part of a protected area and offers an interesting view of historical architecture. Another possibility is a visit to the historically important Smoking Archyaha, which is linked to the ecclesiastical history of the region.
For families with children a visit to St. Matthew's Church is an interesting combination of history and nature. Children can be intrigued by the Gothic elements of the church and explore the surrounding cemetery with Baroque skeleton. It is recommended to explain to children the history of the place and tell them about the importance of the church for the local community. It is also possible to relax in natural places such as Pardubice hill.
Frequently asked questions
Is kostel svatého Matouše (Lipoltice) open to the public?
Yes, the church is open to the public. The opening hours are 9:00 to 5:00.
How do I get to the place by car / public transport?
By car you can arrive directly to the village Lipoltice and park it in front of the church. Public transport is available from Pardubice, it stops near the village.
How much is the entrance fee and is it paid on the spot?
Payment is made directly at the entrance to the church.
Is the tour suitable for children and seniors?
Yes, a church tour is also suitable for families with children. Seniors can be recommended to take a tour due to possible difficulties.
How long does the tour take?
The church tour takes approximately 30 minutes. Depending on the number of visitors it can be extended or shortened.
What are the opening times and booking is required?
The church opening hours are from 9:00 to 5:00. Reservation is not required, but a large number of visitors are recommended.
What's interesting in the immediate vicinity?
In the immediate vicinity of the church there is a cemetery and other historical buildings of the village Lipoltice. The distance from Pardubice is approximately 30 minutes.
For kids
Imagine going back to when Lipoltice was a small village mansion. The church of St. Matthew was still young at the time, and his Baroque tower stood over the surrounding fields like a finger on a map.
How did it look here? There were people living here who lived out of the earth and nursed it. The villages were full of life, sparkling milk and bread. The church was their sanctuary where weddings, funerals and prayers were held.
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Events nearby
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Trips and activities nearby
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Church of St. Matthew (Lipoltice) Type: Church Why is it worth a visit: The main destination of our route is located in the village Lipoltice and represents a significant dominant feature of the whole area. The place breathes through history and forms the natural center of the village.
Baroque skeleton Type: Monuments Why is it worth a visit: This monument is located directly in the cemetery near the church and is an integral part of the protected area. It offers a unique view of history and architecture associated with the main goal.
Smoking Archyrachies Type: Monuments Why is it worth a visit: It represents a historically important church administration unit to which the lipolistic church previously belonged. It resembles the old church ties and administrative arrangements of the region.
Pardubice Type: Nature Why is it worth a visit: The surrounding landscape with mild hills and forests is quite typical of this region. It provides a pleasant environment for the overall nature of the trip and admiration of local nature.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring During the spring, when the landscape awakens to life, the church of St. Matthew in Lipoltice becomes charming thanks to the soft light that penetrates through the stained glass and creates a play of colors on the stone walls. The surrounding area of the church is surrounded by flowering trees and green meadows, which provide a peaceful and refreshing atmosphere. It is convenient to visit it in March or April when the air is still cold, but the sun shines strong enough to illuminate the interior. It is recommended to wear layered clothing as temperatures can change rapidly. The best time to visit is early morning or in the afternoon when the church is quieter and you can enjoy its architecture in peace.
Summer In the summer months, especially in July and August, the church of St. Matthew is surrounded by greenery, which creates a pleasant shadow and protection from the sun's heat. The interior of the church is illuminated by natural light at this time, which highlights the details of the paintings and sculptures. However, larger crowds may occur in the main summer season, especially on Sundays or during holidays. It is recommended to visit the church early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the rush. It is advisable to put on light clothes and take water with you because temperatures can be high.
Autumn Autumn Lipoltice offers the church of St. Matthew a unique atmosphere where golden leaves of trees are reflected in the glass windows of the church and create a magical mood. In September and October the air is clean and cold, which gives the visit a sense of calm and introspection. At this time, the church is often visited less, allowing it to explore its interior in peace. It is recommended to wear warm but comfortable clothes as temperatures can be variable. The best time to visit is in the afternoon when the sun shines enough to illuminate the church but is not too strong.
Winter In the winter months, especially in December and January, the Church of St. Matthew is gaining a dramatic look at the mystery due to the snow cover and the cold air which gives its silhouette a dramatic look. The interior is lit by artificial light at this time, which creates a cozy and peaceful atmosphere. In advent time, the church is often visited as part of Christmas preparations, which can mean more attendance. It is recommended to visit him in the morning when the church is open and you can enjoy his beauty in peace. It is advisable to wear warm clothes, including gloves and caps, as temperatures can be very low.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
Atmosphere of the place
This atmospheric visualisation of the place and period was generated by artificial intelligence. It is not real footage of the location.
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Sources and literature
Photos: Zp at Czech Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0, rozlišení zvýšeno umělou inteligencí — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
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