Horní Kruty: Baroque Church and Local History

The Church of St. Wenceslas, the water tower, and former municipal buildings give Horní Kruty a distinctive cultural and historical character. The town’s history spans Baroque architecture and public infrastructure, as well as the remembrance of the victims of Nazism. The forested hills of the wider Hornokrutsko area also help shape how visitors navigate a stay here.

Horní Kruty in the Hornokrutsko Landscape

Hornokrutsko lies in the southwestern part of the Kolín District and is hilly and heavily forested. Horní Kruty is part of this area, which also includes Dolní Kruty, Přestavlky, Bohouňovice II., Újezdec, Březinka, and the hamlet of Kamenná. A historic road connecting Kouřim and Sázava passes through Hornokrutsko. This makes it possible to consider the local history of Horní Kruty and the wider landscape as distinct but related themes when planning a trip.

Baroque Church and Chapel

The Church of St. Wenceslas, dating from the 18th century, stands at the highest point of Hornokrutsko, 410 meters above sea level. It is a prominent landmark in Horní Kruty and a protected cultural monument. The foundation stone of the new church was laid on July 28, 1740; it was consecrated on October 6, 1743. These dates trace the construction from its beginning to its completion.

The furnishings also tell of a later period: most of them date from 1888. The church was built in the classical Baroque style and is one of the important Baroque architectural monuments in the Kolín region. The Chapel of St. Gothard in Horní Kruty was consecrated on the same day as the church. Taken together, the construction and furnishing dates offer insight into the place’s long history of religious architecture.

The Water Tower and the Village’s Building History

Another distinctive structure stands in the middle of the village green: the water tower of Horní Kruty. It was completed in 1927, along with the village’s water supply system and electrification. As an industrial building with traditional architectural character, it combines a technical function with a clearly articulated form. Its tower shaft tapers upward and is topped by a cornice with lunette openings. Above it is the projecting upper section housing the water tank.

Other buildings also tell of changes in community life. The original structure of the present-day school building was built in 1849; a new north wing was added in 1886, giving it its current appearance. The building of the former Kampelička was built by the cooperative savings bank in 1931. A memorial plaque there commemorates the victims of Nazism. The family of Dr. Hugo Teller was deported from there during the Second World War and subsequently murdered in concentration camps.

The history of the Sokolovna highlights community involvement. It was built with volunteer labor and donations from local residents and surrounding communities; stone, sand, and wood were provided free of charge. The first documented dance took place in September 1924. This building history differs from that of the church and water tower: it centers on contributions from people in Horní Kruty and nearby communities.

A Historic Trace of Cycling

Cycle racing is also part of the area’s more recent history. Hornokrutská 40 was a 40-kilometer race open to the general public, which could be completed on a mountain bike or cyclocross bike. The tenth and last documented race took place on August 10, 2019. Its date places the race in the past and adds a sporting perspective to the cultural and architectural themes.

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Discover More Destinations

Tuklaty, Ždánice, Býchory, Nova Ves I, Polepy, Němčice, Dolní Chvatliny, Polní Voděrady

For the wider travel overview: Kolín District.