Ghost Church

Sobre

Consecrated in 1352, Kostel Svatého Jiří in Luková endured centuries of fires, wartime looting, and a 1968 partial roof collapse cementing its reputation as "haunted." The congregation chose to hold outdoor services for decades as the church decayed under Communist neglect and vandalism. In 2012, art student Jakub Hadrava transformed its fate molding dozens of ghostly figures by wrapping classmates in plastic and plaster, casting them into spectral statues seated in pews or standing near the altar. These figures symbolize the Sudeten Germans, ethnic Germans expelled post-WWII, who once worshipped in the region. The installation sparked global intrigue, drawing tourists whose donations funded numerous repairs. Today, the partially restored church blends Gothic and Neo-Romanesque architecture, with a refurbished exterior. Visitors can peer through windows or doors (open Saturdays from April to October, but best to call ahead to check) to witness the eerie figures. The project also revived the congregation, who now hold services among the ghosts in addition to a number of cultural events held throughout the year.