Zvonice, Baroque bell tower in Olšovec, Czech Republic

Zvonice is a free-standing Baroque bell tower built in 1717 in the centre of Olšovec's village green, by the Mraznice stream and the II/470 road. The two-storey rendered masonry structure of rough stone has a square plan with chamfered corners; above the rectangular entrance are a brick-arched niche and a square window. Its roof is an octagonal spire topped by an octagonal lantern, a smaller spire, a finial and a cross.

The Baroque bell tower was built in 1717 from rough-cut stone on a square plan with chamfered corners. Its bell dates from 1732 and bears the inscriptions "Sanctus Maria" and "Sanctus Johanesa". During the Second World War the bell was requisitioned and taken to a collection point in Prague's Maniny district, then returned to the village after the war.

The niche above the entrance once held a carved Renaissance statue of Saint Barbara, now kept in the Hranice museum; a copy marks the spot. The bell, cast in 1732 and inscribed "Sanctus Maria" and "Sanctus Johanesa", was requisitioned during the Second World War and taken to a collection point in Prague's Maniny district, then returned to the village after the war.

The tower stands on the village green by the Mraznice stream, beside road II/470. A rectangular doorway leads in, with a wooden staircase lit by two slit windows; there is no lift and no viewing platform. The carved Renaissance statue of St Barbara that once filled the niche above the door is now kept in the Hranice museum.

The bell was cast in 1732 and carries the inscriptions "Sanctus Maria" and "Sanctus Johanesa". During World War II it was requisitioned and taken to a collection point in Prague's Maniny district, then returned to the village after the war.