Luka nad Jihlavou - Czech Republic

Luka nad Jihlavou

Luka nad Jihlavou
The village Luka nad Jihlavou is situated in a south part of Czech Republic, in an area called Czechmoravian Highlands, about 12 km far from a county seat Jihlava along the river Jihlava.

History
 The territory of Czechmoravian Highlands was covered with gross wild forest and morasses till the middle ages. Only a trade way went this way up to 12^th century, when the permanent human settlement began in this area. At that time the cloister was founded in Třebíč near-by and the village Luka belonged to its estate.

First written mention of Luka comes from 1256. Till 1763 the estate Luka had many owners, in 1763 the family of Widmann-Sedlnicky bought it and it belonged to the family till 1945.

 The village expanded a lot during the railway construction in 1870. At that time there lived 1347 inhabitants in Luka and the number of citizens went beyond 2 000 for the first time of the history of Luka in 1910.

Cultural landmarks

St. Bartholomew Church:
This late baroque church was built in 1763 in a place of a Romanic one which has been destroyed by Swedish army. The church is one the most beautiful buildings in Luka, especially after the reconstruction in 90´s of last century and after a new external lighting of the church.

Castle
This baroque two-storied building was built since 1739 till 1747 by Maxmilian Oldrich from Kounice in a place of an original Renaissance fort. The Widmann family lived there till 1945, when the castle was communized.

Till 1990 there were council flats here and a school dinning-room. Now the castle belongs to a private owner, who has restored it and who will be exploiting is as a training centre.

Park
The park was founded in English style in 1834 in a place of 3 former farms. Its size is 12 ha. There are many rare species and beautiful sceneries well-kept till this time in the park.

Granary
The granary was built before 1737 and it attracts attention because of its gables rich with the ornaments. It was used as an agrarian store till recently and dilapidated very much. Before 2002 was renovated a rebuilt to a gymnasium.

Glasshouse
This two-storied building in the former park area used to be a greenhouse and a gardener’s flat. At the present time it belongs to a private owner, which rebuilding it to a family house.

On the present
 The village consists of 4 parts: Luka nad Jihlavou, Otín, Předboř and Svatoslav. There are more than 2 500 inhabitants in Luka nad Jihlavou and the number still grows. Luka nad Jihlavou – here are not only people there, but also the organizations, institutions and welfare service. After 1989 the village became nicer, younger and modern. A lot of new family houses, council flats, rest home, open air swimming pool, ski lift, a new gas supply line or waste - water purification plant - these are the examples of the work of our village.

 The civic amenities: The kindergarten takes care of more than 70 children; there are about 300 pupils in the elementary school (since the 1^st till the 9^th class). The pupils, but also the citizens can use a school dinning room. There is an Information centre in Luka too, where the public Internet or the library with 8000 books are available. A health care is provided in the health care centre where are 2 general practitioners, 2 dentists, 1 paediatrist, gynecologist or physiotherapist. You can also find massages, cosmetics, hair dresser and fit-centre there. Many cultural events take place behind the health care centre building. And once a week the citizens can see the film in the cinema.

There is a chemist and a veterinary surgeon in Luka as well.

The care of the oldest citizens is provided by care service, both in the residents’ houses     and in 2 care centers.

Of course, we can find here the post office in Luka (which is settled in a new building), Banking institution (Czech Savings Bank), petrol station etc.

Tourism
 The river Jihlava valley is cut out for tourists and bike trips. The trips to near White Rock (2 km), to a romantic ruin of middle age castle Rokštejn (5 km) or to old village Petrovice with its Romanic church (2 km) belong to the most beautiful walks. The river itself invites the fishermen and watermen.

 The visitors can use  the open air swimming pool in summer time, tennis courts and football field, basketball and volleyball court. For winter sport friends there is a ski lift 590 m long with flood - light ski slope and shorter children ski lift..