Křižanov – Churches, Zdislava and Landscape

Křižanov is located in the Českomoravská vrchovina region. In the town, historic religious buildings meet a landscape of forests, fields, meadows and the Libochůvka stream. If you are planning a stay, you can get to know Křižanov through its architectural history, its landscape and the pilgrimage sites in the surrounding area. The sights offer different points of interest: medieval architectural history, the memory of Saint Zdislava and more recent religious design.

Churches and Historical Traces

The first written mention of the Church of St. Wenceslas dates back to 1239. A Romanesque church probably already stood on the site of today’s church in the 11th century. The present-day presbytery dates from the Gothic reconstruction of the 14th century. The presbytery is the part of the church reserved for the clergy; its surviving Gothic form thus gives a tangible record of a later phase in the church’s construction.

The Chapel of St. Barbara stands at the corner of Zámek and Bezručova streets and has an early medieval core. The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk stands on Masaryk Square; the Marian column is on Benešovo Square. The municipal strategy plan for 2024–2029 lists both among Křižanov’s tourist attractions.

The Zdislava Monument and the Pilgrimage

Saint Zdislava was born around 1220 in Křižanov, the first child of Přibyslav and Sybila; Křižanov is considered her birthplace. The monument to the saint is a modern religious feature in the historic centre. Its central feature is a bronze sculpture by the sculptor Otmar Oliva. It is complemented by a circular fountain and a ring of twelve granite columns. The monument can therefore be appreciated both through its figure and its other design elements.

The Zdislavská pouť takes place annually in Křižanov in late May; the exact date may vary from year to year. If you would like to combine your stay with the pilgrimage, check the date for that year before travelling.

Near Křižanov, on Svatá hora, there is a picturesque open-air pilgrimage chapel. It is visited not only by the faithful but also by tourists seeking peace away from the bustle of the modern world. This adds a pilgrimage destination in the surrounding area to the religious buildings in the town.

Landscape and Events

The municipality of Křižanov has numerous forested areas, as well as fields, meadows and field margins. The Libochůvka stream flows through the town, which is also located in the Českomoravská vrchovina. The churches and the Zdislava Monument provide a cultural and historical focus, while the forests and open spaces describe the rural landscape within the municipality.

The municipal strategy plan for 2024–2029 lists Středověký podvečer as one of Křižanov’s best-known cultural and social events. At the Křižanov Aeroclub airfield, the same plan mentions national competitive flying events and sightseeing flights. The dates of the competitions may vary. If you are considering a sightseeing flight, check before travelling whether it is open to the public.

Discover more destinations: Jabloňov, Sázava, Blízkov, Velké Tresné, Herálec, Radešín, Křoví, Křídla.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.