Malotice combines distinctive buildings with gently rolling, agriculturally shaped surroundings. The Church of St. Matthew stands in the centre; a former fortress granary lies in the northern part of the village. Fields, small copses and smaller areas of woodland shape the surrounding landscape. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, these different aspects of the village can help you decide: Malotice mainly appeals to travellers interested in architecture, local history and rural character.
The Church of St. Matthew: Architecture and History
The church stands in the centre of Malotice, within an area enclosed by a boundary wall. Its single-nave structure is rectangular, with rounded corners and a semi-oval end. The tower is centrally positioned on the west façade. These clear features give the building a distinctive form that differs from the usual idea of a simple rectangular church nave.
The present Church of St. Matthew is the pseudo-Romanesque replacement built in 1864 for a church presumed to be Romanesque and dating from the first half of the 13th century. The church was first mentioned in 1309. The dates therefore point to different stages in its history: the presumed early predecessor, the first mention and the later replacement. Both are relevant to understanding the village’s appearance, without reducing the building’s history to a single point in time.
The furnishings also combine different styles. The late Baroque high altar bears a Rococo painting of St. Matthew from 1798. It was created by VĂt Prossil, the parish priest of Malotice. On either side of the painting are Rococo statues of St. Procopius and St. Adalbert from the 1760s. The altar thus brings together a late Baroque framework, a later painting and figures from another decade.
The Fortress Complex and Granary
In the northern part of the village, the former fortress granary stands in a farmyard. The former fortress complex, now a granary, includes a substantial two-storey building. Remnants of Renaissance sgraffito remain on its façades. The complex also includes a boundary wall with arcaded arches. Alongside the church, Malotice thus offers another example of historic architecture, where the building and its enclosing wall together define the architectural character.
Another work of art is the Baroque sandstone statue of St. Procopius on the south wall of the Church of St. Matthew. It was created in 1703 and is attributed, on the basis of stylistic connections, to the Kutná Hora sculptor František Martin Katterbauer. The attribution is therefore based on style. The statue can also be distinguished from the Rococo statues of St. Procopius and St. Adalbert on the high altar: it is on the exterior wall, while the figures on the altar are part of the church’s furnishings. If you would like to see the statue in person, check before your trip whether access is possible.
An Agricultural Landscape
A gently rolling agricultural landscape of extensive fields, small copses and smaller areas of woodland stretches around Malotice. Its character differs distinctly from the architectural details in the village: open agricultural land and smaller wooded areas shape the landscape here, while the church and fortress complex provide architectural focal points there. This can help you decide which aspect of Malotice matters most for your stay.
The village’s history and landscape complement each other, without forming a set sightseeing itinerary. You can plan your stay around the historic buildings or give greater importance to the rural character of the surroundings. When looking for a holiday apartment, it makes sense to decide on your personal priorities first. That way, you can choose Malotice based on what interests you about the destination, rather than assuming an unverified overall range of options or a particular itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Třebovle, Krakovany, Klučov, Drahobudice, Hornà Kruty, Polnà Chrčice, Pečky, Ratenice.
For the overview of the wider travel area: KolĂn District.
