Střílky Baroque Cemetery

The Baroque Cemetery in Střílky lies in the village of Střílky at the foot of the Chřiby hills, about 25 km south-west of Kroměříž by road. Thanks to its unusual concept it is regarded as a gem of Baroque architecture and sculpture.

It was created in 1730–1743 as a grandly conceived artistic ensemble with a monumental cemetery chapel. The area of about 2,000 m² has a square ground plan whose corners are replaced by vaulted arches. The cemetery was built on an embankment on the slope by the church, so it rises high above its surroundings. It is enclosed by a wall of sandstone blocks, about 3 metres high at the front and up to 10 metres at the back, topped by a balustrade with pedestals for statues.

The sculptures depict angels, allegories of the virtues and good deeds as well as the seven deadly sins. The ensemble remained a torso of the originally intended project. In 2001 ten statues were stolen; copies stand in their place today.