Ždírec – St. Wenceslas and Baroque Sculptures

For travelers who consider local history and religious art when choosing a destination, the parish church of St. Wenceslas and two Baroque sculptures are the main features of Ždírec’s townscape. Cycling routes in the town and a natural monument nearby complement this cultural focus and offer further points to consider when planning your trip.

St. Wenceslas: Parish Church and Building History

The Church of St. Wenceslas is the parish church of the Roman Catholic parish of Ždírec. It is a prominent feature on the village square and is surrounded by a small park. A church in Ždírec has been documented in writing since the 14th century, and St. Wenceslas had become a parish church by 1367.

The present church was built on the site of its predecessor, which burned down completely in 1890. The present building was constructed there from 1893 to 1898 in the Neo-Gothic style, based on a design by the master builder Josef Šupich of Havlíčkův Brod. The building has a single nave and a five-sided chancel: the church interior is laid out as one nave, and the chancel end has five sides. The church has been a protected monument since May 1958.

Inside are an old organ and paintings depicting scenes from the life of St. Wenceslas. The present interior furnishings are more recent. Only a large wooden cross and four stone grave slabs remain from the original furnishings; the cross survived the fire of 1890. A plaque commemorating the murdered Germans at Budínka is located beside this cross.

The history of the parish extends beyond the present building: from the second half of the 16th century until 1622, the church served Protestants; Liebzeit was the last Protestant pastor in the town. The local rectory was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War and restored in 1690. These dates place the church within a longer history of the town and religion.

Baroque Sculptures in Ždírec

The sandstone group of St. John of Nepomuk dates from 1743 and is attributed to Václav Viktor Morávek. It depicts a life-size figure of the saint, an angel with a cross on the right, and three putti on the left. The putti hold a cartouche with a relief of the Madonna.

In the western part of Ždírec, at a road junction with turnoffs toward Střítež and Měšín, stands the Baroque granite statue of St. Anthony of Padua. The sculptor Václav Morávek of Polná created it in 1753. The two works can be distinguished by their materials and dates: the Nepomuk group is made of sandstone and dates from 1743, while the statue of St. Anthony is made of granite and dates from 1753.

Cycling Routes, Bus Connections, and Nearby Attractions

Two cycling routes meet in Ždírec; no marked hiking trail passes through the town. If you want to plan your trip around a marked hiking trail, take this difference into account when choosing your destination. As routes may change, check the current route before setting out.

Bus connections are listed for journeys toward Jihlava, Polná, Žďár nad Sázavou, and Olomouc. Check the current timetable for specific departures on your travel date.

Nearby, the memorial Scots pine stands on a well-kept grassy island in the fields, on the left side of the road from Ždírec to Polná, about 600 meters from the town. The memorial Scots pine is 11 meters tall and has a trunk circumference of 235 centimeters; these measurements may change over time. It is best to check the exact location along the road and at the edge of the field in person.

Discover more destinations: Klatovec, Jamné, Zhor U Jihlavy, Vanůvek, Střítež, Třeštice, Stará Říše, Mysliboř.

For the overview of the wider area: Okres Jihlava.