Discover Rostoklaty

Rostoklaty’s history is reflected in a range of landmarks: St. Martin’s Church, probably built towards the end of the first half of the 14th century; its Renaissance pulpit; an octagonal sandstone cross; historic tombs; and a memorial plaque. Together, these date from the Middle Ages to the 20th century and make cultural history the town’s clear focus.

Rostoklaty: key facts

• St. Martin’s Church: probably built towards the end of the first half of the 14th century; first mentioned in writing in 1352.
• Renaissance pulpit: made of stone and prismatic in shape; commissioned by Martin Náchodský in 1574.
• Sandstone cross: 4.2 metres high, octagonal, with neo-Gothic motifs and mouldings; consecrated on 19 June 1853.
• Several high-quality tombs have been preserved in the former cemetery; they date from the second half of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century.
• The memorial plaque commemorating those who fell in the First World War is on the municipal office building.

St. Martin’s Church between Gothic and Renaissance

St. Martin’s Church was probably built towards the end of the first half of the 14th century. This is distinct from the church’s first written mention, which dates to 1352. The two dates therefore describe different things: an approximate period of construction and the earliest written reference. Together, they give the church a clear place in Rostoklaty’s medieval history without conflating its construction with its first mention.

Inside the church, on the Gospel side of the triumphal arch, is a stone, prismatic Renaissance pulpit. Martin Náchodský, hetman of the Škvorec estate, commissioned it in 1574. The date refers to its commission, not to a confirmed date of manufacture. Stone identifies the material, prismatic describes the shape, and Renaissance indicates its art-historical classification. St. Martin’s Church thus brings together different periods: the probably medieval church and the Renaissance pulpit.

The sandstone cross: form and consecration

The symbolic sandstone cross was erected by Josef and Barbora Chroust. The priest Jan Kinzl from Tuklaty consecrated it on 19 June 1853. The names and exact date make the history of this particular object more tangible: they connect its erection with the people associated with its creation and consecration.

At 4.2 metres high and octagonal in shape, the cross has a distinctive form. It also features neo-Gothic motifs and mouldings. Neo-Gothic describes motifs drawing on Gothic style; mouldings structure the surface with shaped contours. This allows the material, form and design to be considered separately, while the 1853 consecration provides historical context.

Tombs and remembrance

Several high-quality tombs have been preserved in the former cemetery. They date from the second half of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. They offer another way to explore the town’s history: Rostoklaty’s surviving heritage includes not only individual buildings and works of art, but also tombs from several decades.

The memorial plaque commemorating those who fell in the First World War offers another form of remembrance. It is on the municipal office building. The tombs and the plaque serve different purposes: the tombs span a longer period of history, while the plaque specifically commemorates those who fell in a particular war.

These themes make it easy to choose a cultural-history focus: architecture and design lead to the church, pulpit and cross; tombs and the memorial plaque offer insight into remembrance. This can help you decide what to explore in Rostoklaty, depending on whether you are particularly interested in historic architectural styles or different forms of commemoration.

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FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Rostoklaty

When was St. Martin’s Church built?

St. Martin’s Church was probably built towards the end of the first half of the 14th century. Its first written mention dates to 1352; this is the earliest written reference, not the exact year of construction.

See the broader travel guide: Kolín District.