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Church of St. George 🇨🇿 Luková

St. George Church
🇨🇿 Luková 🇪🇺

In addition to the non-existent individual named Alois Formanek from Manětín (a fictional character from the Jára Cimrman Theatre), the region is also notable for the small village of Luková. This village is home to a “haunted” church that is inhabited by plaster ghost statues. The local populace is attempting to restore the deteriorated church through the use of these ghosts as a means of generating revenue, with the ultimate goal of repairing the structure.

The village of Luková and its Church of St. George is a location where numerous ghost statues are situated in the wooden pews of a deteriorated church. The figures remain silent, with bowed heads, engaged in silent prayer to God. They are statues commemorating the ghosts of the Sudeten Germans who used to live in the village. The concept was first developed in 2012 by Jakub Hadrava, who used the church that year for the realisation of his bachelor’s thesis at the Faculty of Design and Art of the Pilsen University.

Church of St. George / photo no. 3
Church of St. George / photo no. 3
Church of St. George / photo no. 3
Church of St. George / photo no. 3
Church of St. George / photo no. 3
Church of St. George / photo no. 3

If you’re looking for a creative photography experience, St. George’s Church in Lukova is a great place to shoot. The photos might not show it, but the place is actually really popular. Be prepared to share the space with others. I’d recommend using a tripod to combat the gloomy lighting.

I’d recommend a wide-angle lens if you’re looking to take some great photos. I used the 16-35mm lens, but I also found the 24-70mm to be a good choice, especially if you plan to shoot from the first floor, where you can get a great view of the plaster sculptures. If you have a longer lens, say around 70-200mm, you can use it too (the view between the heads). Just remember to be patient with the other visitors.

I didn’t use the flash because I didn’t have prior arrangement. But if you contact a local guide (see the website in the links below) and arrange a visit outside of busy hours, you can get a lot more creative (a combination with some smoke-generating devices is suggested).

It’s probably best to avoid touching the statues, but you might find yourself in a situation where some parents who have been smoking outside the church decide to leave their kids to play under the watchful eyes of the ghosts, which in some cases can also serve as a climbing frame.

Luková and St. George's Church links

Further information can be found in the following links (from which some of the text is derived). The excursion can be undertaken in either a more circuitous manner, utilising public transportation, or as a direct journey. It should be noted that this is a modest community, where the residents may be disconcerted by the influx of visitors and the subsequent alteration of the village square into a vast parking area. Therefore, it is imperative to exercise consideration for for the local population.

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