Chlistov: Church, Folk Architecture and Natural Swimming Pool

Chlistov brings together a tangible architectural history and a natural attraction: the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, several examples of folk architecture and the Jewish cemetery give the village a distinctive cultural character. The natural swimming pool, with its tree-lined dam and opportunities for fishing, adds a different focus to these impressions.

Chlistov at a glance

• The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is first documented in writing in 1360.
• Originally, it was a single-nave Gothic church with a rectangular floor plan; its three-sided presbytery dates from the 14th century.
• Farmhouse u Mýdlů No. 37 probably dates from the 18th century. It is a single-storey Šumava-type house built from large, unworked logs.
• Farmhouse No. 32 is a two-storey timber-framed house with a side porch and projecting gable, and is an example of 19th-century folk architecture.
• The farmstead at No. 38 comprises a residential building with a cellar, a stable and a barn, and is considered a typical example of local 19th-century folk architecture.
• The Jewish cemetery was established in 1869 and is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.
• Fishing is possible at the natural swimming pool; a row of trees lines the dam.

Church and cemetery: distinct historical points of reference

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is first documented in writing in 1360. Originally, it was a single-nave Gothic church with a rectangular floor plan; its three-sided presbytery dates from the 14th century. The dates refer to different things: 1360 is the first written record of the church, while the 14th century dates the presbytery. Thus, an early written record and a medieval architectural feature come together without answering the same historical question.

The Jewish cemetery was established in 1869 and is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Alongside the church, it offers another point of reference for visitors interested in the history of the village. The two places represent different subjects: church architecture on the one hand, Jewish heritage on the other. If you are looking for a cultural focus for your stay, you can take these differences into account when making your own plans.

Comparing timber folk architecture

Chlistov’s folk architecture can be explored through the specific forms of its rural houses. Farmhouse u Mýdlů No. 37 probably dates from the 18th century. It is single-storey, built from large, unworked logs and classified as a Šumava-type house. It is also considered an example of archaic timber-framed folk architecture from the Šumava region. The probable dating is as important as the materials and construction.

Farmhouse No. 32 offers a different emphasis: it is a two-storey timber-framed house with a side porch and a projecting gable. As an example of 19th-century folk architecture, it is described alongside the probably older, single-storey House No. 37. The comparison highlights differences in the number of storeys and the form of the buildings without reducing both houses to the same design.

At the rural farmstead at No. 38, the focus expands from a single house to several buildings. The farmstead includes a residential building with a cellar, a stable and a barn. It is a typical example of 19th-century folk architecture in the local area. Taken together, the three examples offer different points of interest: materials and a regional building type, the form of a two-storey house, and the combination of residential and agricultural buildings.

Natural swimming pool and landscape

The natural swimming pool adds a different focus to a visit. Fishing is possible there, and a row of trees lines the dam. This brings together a specific activity and a lasting feature of the landscape. Unlike the architectural history, the focus here is less on the form of individual buildings and more on the water and the design of the dam.

When planning your trip, you can therefore consider whether you would mainly like to explore Chlistov’s church, cemetery and folk architecture, or whether the natural swimming pool and the opportunity to fish better suit your interests.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Červené Poříčí, Velhartice, Zelezná Ruda, Břežany, Dlouhá Ves U Susice, Hradešice, Rejštejn, Ujčín.

FAQ / Frequently asked questions about Chlistov

How do you get to the Jewish cemetery?

A field path leads from the road north of Chlistov to the Jewish cemetery. Check the current condition of the path before your visit.

For the main travel overview: Okres Klatovy.