In the quiet village of Luková, hidden deep in the Czech countryside, stands an unconventional church locally known as “Kostel svatého Jiří.” St. George’s Church, as it is formally known, was once a place of worship and community, where people held various religious functions, like burial ceremonies and masses.
Today, it draws in visitors for an entirely different reason. It is home to a collection of eerie, life-sized ghostly sculptures that sit silently in the pews, watching over the abandoned space. This article tells the story of St. George’s Church, detailing its history, reasons for its abandonment, and what you could expect to see when you visit now.
History of St. George’s Church
The St. George’s Church was constructed as early as the 14th century as a Roman Catholic Church. It was built to serve the small local community and remained an important place of worship for centuries. The villagers converged for prayer, community gatherings, and religious functions for local residents.
In this period, the church was under the greater influence of the Kingdom of Bohemia, itself under the Holy Roman Empire. Like St. George’s, such a church often had a humble appearance yet occupied an essential role in village life.
It is said that this church suffered occasional damage or fires. One perfect instance was in the second half of the 1800s when it underwent extensive reconstruction in a neo-Romanesque and Gothic style following a devastating fire and in the 16th century due to the Hussite wars.
The local ethnic German population that resided close to the German borders (Sudentenlands) was the church’s primary clientele. “Mein Haus ist ein Bethaus” (My house is a house of prayer) is written in German inside the church. There was also a cemetery that encircled the church.
At the end of World War II, the Germans were forced out of Czechoslovakia. Newcomers to the village from all over Czechoslovakia soon began using the church. However, churches were poorly maintained, and religious practices were not supported under the Communist regime.
Even so, the St. Gorges church outlasted various periods, such as when the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the establishment of Czechoslovakia, and the eventful years of World War II that prevailed.
Why Was St. George’s Church Abandoned?
During its course, the locals believed that the church was haunted due to its rich history of several calamities and the mere fact that it was old. Also, just outside the church was a graveyard, which didn’t help its case much.
As aforementioned, the communist regime didn’t care much about religion, so maintenance of the church was not a priority. It experienced decay and several construction issues, contributing to its decline.
St. George’s Church reached the height of calamity in 1968 during a funeral service. Mourners had been bidding farewells as part of the roof came crashing down with dust and pieces. Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured. Nonetheless, this superstitious town viewed the incident as a bad omen.
Convinced that the church was cursed, many didn’t return. Despite harsh weather, they decided to hold mass under the open sky rather than set foot inside this haunted church. In the absence of churchgoers, St. George’s Church was now known for another type of visitor.
With time, the structure began to disintegrate little by time. The roof continued to deteriorate, the wooden pews rotted, and the once-grand church gradually faded away into the relative obscurity of memory.
What Happened to St. George’s Church After It Was Abandoned?
After St. George’s Church had been abandoned in 1968, it slowly fell into heavy disrepair. With no regular maintenance, this church was left to slowly disintegrate. In the following decades, this structure succumbed to the whims of nature.
For over 40 years, St. George’s Church stood as a ghostly, forgotten landmark with damaged walls, decaying wooden beams, and leaking roofs. The building became a superstition symbol, with few locals daring to enter.
Without the funds for restoration, the church was in a state of possible collapse. By the early 2000s, some estimates of the condition of the church had been made, but the restoration cost was beyond the finances of the small village of Luková.
Everything changed in 2012 when Czech art student Jakub Hadrava created an art installation inside the church as part of a restoration. He molded ghostly, life-sized figures from plaster and then positioned them in the pews so it seemed like a silent worship service frozen in time.
These statues were designed to represent the Sudeten Germans who once prayed there before their forceful expulsion after World War II. This finally gave the abandoned church a degree of dark tourism attraction.
The quirky work of art immediately drew in tourists, visitors, photographers, and history lovers worldwide. Tourist donations have stabilized the structure so that it would not collapse further. While still abandoned as a place of worship, it is a historical site and artistic landmark today.
Can You Visit St. George’s Church?
You can visit St. George’s Church in Luková, Czech Republic, about 150 miles from Prague. The place has become popular because of its eerie atmosphere and ghostly art installations.
The church is open on a fixed schedule, with most tourists reporting that it is only open on Saturdays for a few hours and sometimes on special occasions. However, one would have to locally inform or tourist information offices close to the church. While there is no entrance fee per se, donations are encouraged for its restoration process.
Over 30 life-sized ghostly figures sit in the pews, giving a spine-chilling atmosphere with a mesmerizing effect. The church has been partially stabilized but retains its abandoned and crumbling appearance. It’s an unusual mix of peaceful and eerie, which makes it an ideal place for photographers and history enthusiasts.
If you are into abandoned great places with some history, it’s a must-see. The best way of visiting is by car since Luková is a village and not too frequently reached by public transport. One could also take the train or bus up to a town nearby and drive or take a taxi to Luková.
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