Discover Staré Město: Sacred Art and History

The cultural focus of Staré Město is its sacred architecture and historic artworks. An important landmark is the Church of Saint Catherine, Virgin and Martyr: it is a fully preserved, enclosed complex of a rural stone parish church. Its building history, altar art, and other sacred monuments give the destination a distinct character. A cycle route and events are also among the topics you can take into account when planning your trip.

Sacred Architecture Through the Ages

The church was originally Late Gothic and dates from the 13th century. At the end of the 18th century, it was remodeled in the Late Baroque style. These two defining points in its architectural history are clearly distinct in time: its Late Gothic origins and its later Late Baroque transformation. This evolution makes the church interesting for travelers who want to appreciate historic architectural forms beyond a single style label.

The Chapel of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross stands beside the church and is designated an immovable cultural monument. Built of stone, it has a smooth, semicircular form and is topped by a wavy gable. Staré Město thus brings together different forms of sacred architecture: the enclosed parish church complex and the chapel’s clearly described design.

Artworks and Monuments

The church’s main altar features a Rococo painting of Saint Catherine by Judas Thaddaeus Supper, dating from the second half of the 18th century. The artist, style, and period give the work its own art-historical context. Alongside the Late Baroque remodeling, it offers another perspective on the town’s sacred history: not only the architecture but also the furnishings are associated with a particular period.

The Calvary ensemble consists of a central cross and two statues of saints at its sides: Saint John the Evangelist and the Virgin Mary. The arrangement places the cross in the center, with the two figures to either side. Another Baroque detail is the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk. It is dated 15 May 1716 and attributed to Anton Stelzl. This precise date and attribution provide the artworks with a specific historical reference point.

Cycle Route and Events

Cycle route 4062 runs through Staré Město and continues via Rychnov na Moravě to Mladějov na Moravě. Staré Město is therefore part of a specific route that continues through two other towns. If you plan to include a cycling trip in your visit, check the signage and route conditions before setting off, as both may change.

Events also provide a time-specific reference for planning your trip. By 2022, the Jarní pochod za zdravím had reached its 39th edition; the start and finish were at the Sokolovna. The municipality began organizing Staroměstské veselí in 2020, and several editions had taken place by 2024. At Zvěřinové hody in 2022, game and grilled dishes were served at a hunting lodge. If you plan to attend an event during your trip, check the dates for the relevant edition separately.

Discover more destinations: Radkov, Dětřichov U Svitav, Dětřichov U Moravské Třebové, Karle, Městečko Trnávka, Dolní Újezd, Široký Důl, Tržek.

For the broader travel overview: Svitavy District.