Svatý Jan: Baroque Church and Hiking Route

When planning your trip to Svatý Jan, two specific highlights stand out: the Church of Saint John of Nepomuk and the 18-kilometre “Ke Svatému Janu” hiking route, which passes through the town. Other cultural sites include the restored Špejchar in Drážkov, the Jewish cemetery at Radobyl, and the pilgrimage spring above Jedlí and Skrýšov. The attractions range from architectural history and hiking to museums, technology, and historical religious traditions.

The Church of Saint John of Nepomuk

The church was built between 1760 and 1764 on the site of an earlier chapel. It is a listed building, as is the adjacent rectory. This spacious Baroque building has a unique mansard roof and a shape resembling a burning heart. Its construction dates, the site of the former chapel, and its distinctive architecture make it a notable point of cultural and historical interest for anyone interested in religious buildings.

Hiking Route and Hydropower

The “Ke Svatému Janu” route is 18 km long and runs from Krásná Hora through Svatý Jan, Brzina, Kunclův mlýn, Drážkov, and Hojšín. Svatý Jan is therefore one stop on a route connecting several named places. On the way to Svatý Jan, the route crosses the Brzina stream via a footbridge. This gives you both the length of the full hike and a specific feature of its course to help with planning.

Kunclův mlýn is one of the places along the route. The Kunclův Mill near Brzina has a waterwheel that powers a sawmill and generates electricity for the mill. Unlike the church’s architecture, the focus here is on the technical use of the waterwheel to run the sawmill and generate electricity.

Museum and Gallery in Drážkov

The restored Špejchar in Drážkov serves as a gallery. The Váchův Špejchar Museum features an exhibition about the difficult lives of people in the middle Vltava region. Individual visits and excursions for groups of four or more can be arranged by phone. If you plan to visit the museum, it is best to arrange your visit by phone in advance.

Historic Religious Sites

The pilgrimage spring above Jedlí and Skrýšov is part of a historic tradition of visiting the site. Processions used to make their way there, and individual visitors also sought health through prayer at the spring. Its cultural and historical significance lies in its former religious use.

On the grounds of the Jewish cemetery at Radobyl is a building with a stone tahara slab. It was used for the ritual purification of the deceased. This specific connection to Jewish burial practices adds a different religious perspective to the history of the church and pilgrimage.

Discover more destinations: Kňovice, Rozmital - Skuhrov, Jezvina, Koupě, Štětkovice, Vrančice, Příbram, Drahlín

For the broader travel overview: Příbram District.