Dřevěná zvonice Rtyně
Wooden Belfry in Rtyně v Podkrkonoší – a unique keeper of time
This exceptional wooden belfry stands in the cemetery next to the Church of St. John the Baptist. It was probably built between 1592–1594, according to dendrochronology, and belongs among the oldest and technically most unique belfries of its kind in the Czech Republic and Europe.
What awaits you here – history, structure, and the silence of bells
- Polygonal wooden structure on a stone octagonal base, topped with a slender tall roof covered with shingles, without a single metal connection – everything is held together by wooden pegs and so-called floating joints
- Inside are three historic bells:
- Umíráček (Mračník) from 1471 (159 kg), originally used to announce storms
- Poledník from 1545 (250 kg), a more ceremonial noontime bell
- Slavnostní from 1644 (approx. 350 kg), ringing only on special occasions
Who the belfry is ideal for
- Lovers of medieval engineering, Gothic forms, and silent history
- Tourist groups, schools, and individuals who will appreciate the original architecture and symbolism of the site
- Access is easy, flat up to the church
- Entry with dogs is not allowed
How to get here and what else to experience
The belfry stands next to the Church of St. John the Baptist at the exit from the town towards Červený Kostelec or Náchod. Parking is available in the center of Rtyně. Regular guided tours are provided by the Rtyně Town Museum, mainly between May and September.
A symbol ringing in the rhythm of history
The wooden belfry in Rtyně is not just an architectural gem — it is a timeless expression of calm, precision, and human skill. Come and listen to the stories of the bells that have known centuries — and perhaps you will also hear the whisper of the landscape beneath the Krkonoše mountains.
