Oleška: Church, Crosses and Landscape

Oleška combines early Gothic architecture with distinctive connections to the village and its landscape. The Church of All Saints, two crosses in different locations, the Nučický Stream and a protected oak tree southeast of the village offer cultural and historical points of interest and links to the landscape.

Early Gothic Church and Architectural Form

The Church of All Saints stands roughly in the middle of Oleška on gently sloping ground. The building is originally early Gothic and was constructed in the last third of the 13th century. Its polygonal eastern end—polygonal means having several sides—is one of the earliest known examples of this feature in the rural areas of Central Bohemia. The date and form offer two perspectives on the same church: its place in history and a striking architectural detail. Those interested in medieval architectural forms can focus on this eastern end and, in addition to considering the dating, observe a specific feature of the building.

Church Services in Oleška

Church services in Oleška are usually held on the first Sunday of the month at 11:30 a.m. If you are planning your visit around a service, confirm the date in advance. This is the usual time, but it is not guaranteed every month.

Crosses with Distinctive Locations

A small cross stands in the centre of Oleška on the bank of the Nučický Stream, which flows through the village. The stone Olešecký Cross, by contrast, is east of the village at the turn-off to Krymlov from the main road between Prague and Kutná Hora. It is made of red Nučický sandstone and dates from the second half of the 19th century. The two crosses can be distinguished by their locations: the village centre and stream bank serve as landmarks for the small cross, while the Olešecký Cross can be identified by its material, date and connection to the road.

Stream, Oak and Village Remembrance

The Nučický Stream is not only a landmark for the small cross: the blue wavy band in Oleška’s coat of arms also refers to the stream that flows through the municipality. A feature of the landscape is thus represented both in the village and in a symbol of the municipality.

Southeast of Oleška grows the Dub u Olešky, a protected English oak (Quercus robur). It stands at the edge of a woodland that is difficult to access. The tree is protected as a visually striking landmark in the landscape. When planning your visit, take into account both its location southeast of the village and the woodland’s difficult accessibility.

Oleška also has a memorial to those who fell in the First and Second World Wars. It adds a place of remembrance dedicated to the two world wars to the history of the church and village.

Accommodation in Oleška

At Oleška 21, 281 62 Oleška, Honey Gardens offers a cosy apartment for two. Check the provider’s website before booking.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Křenek, Struhařov, Křenice, Nove Jirny, Zeleneč, Veliká Ves, Podolanka and Křížkový Újezdec.

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