Lukov – Rokytka, Culture and Cycling Routes

Lukov combines a clearly recognizable river landscape with a multifaceted local history. The Rokytka stream divides the built-up area into two sections, while the church, rectory and memorial sites reveal different chapters of the past. Together with the wooded Lukovská hora and local cycling routes, this creates a destination where culture and landscape come together within a compact geographical setting.

A Place on the Rokytka

Lukov lies on both banks of the Rokytka stream. The Rokytka valley divides the built-up area into the western district of “Ves” and the eastern district of “Kopce”. The Rokytka flows through the cadastral area of Lukov for approximately 4 km and joins the Rokytná near Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou. This structure is more than a geographical detail: those exploring Lukov experience a place whose settlement pattern is directly connected with the course of the stream.

The wooded complex of Lukovská hora is considered the dominant landscape feature. The mountain of Svatý Vít adjoins it and, at 557 m above sea level, forms the highest point in the cadastral area of Lukov.

Church, Rectory and Remembrance

The single-nave Church of St. John the Baptist has Gothic origins and was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 18th century. It is registered as an immovable cultural monument under ÚSKP number 26710/7-2834. A memorial plaque on the wall beside the side entrance commemorates Jan Bula, Jaroslav Melkus and Emil Spilka, three victims of the communist justice system who were born in Lukov.

The Jan Bula Memorial Hall is located in the Lukov rectory. It was ceremonially opened in September 2016 following the renovation of the rectory. Eight information panels document Jan Bula’s life and martyrdom; the hall also displays his primatial vestments, chalice, original paintings and ceramics. Visits to the memorial hall can take place at any time by prior arrangement. For travel planning, this means there is a specific cultural site to visit, but it should not simply be assumed to have spontaneous opening hours.

Also in the rectory, near the Church of St. John the Baptist, is the Expozice Vyhnanci exhibition. It documents the consequences of the forced expulsion of local families in the 1950s. Together with the memorial hall and memorial plaque, it forms a focal point of local remembrance culture, without conflating the individual topics.

Mount Svatý Vít also bears a historical trace: the chapel there was abolished in 1783 during the Josephine Reforms, after the last hermit had left the hermitage in 1782. Lukov is also associated with a pilgrimage held on the Sunday around the Feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24.

Orientation for Your Stay

A road from Vícenice to the main road between Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou and Moravské Budějovice runs through Lukov. Local cycling routes also pass through the cadastral area of Lukov.

More Destinations for Your Research

For further research, you can also visit the destination pages for Želetava, Lhotice, Jiratice, Radkovice U Hrotovic, Pokojovice, Okříšky, Kralice Nad Oslavou and Vlčatín .

For the higher-level travel overview: Třebíč District.