Fara (Nová Hradečná) Parish house

Welcome to New Hradec. Stop for a moment, take a breath and feel the calm of this place. Right now, you're standing in front of a building that is a silent witness to many generations, a historical parish. If you look at her, you'll see the stability and dignity that radiates out of her after centuries. It is a building which, by its presence, immediately suggests that there were once people responsible for the spiritual and social life of the whole village. Notice how closely this rectory is linked to the church of St. Vavrnice, which is located in its immediate vicinity. This neighborhood was not random, the rectory was supposed to be the support of the church and the place where faith was linked to everyday life.

Now let's go back more than two walls in time. This Baroque building was not created in any short time. Its construction lasted four years, namely from a thousand seven hundred sixty-four to a thousand seven hundred sixty-eight. At that time, this area was under the influence of powerful generations, and that was the Josef Václav Vavřinec z Lichtenštejna. He was the one who banned this building and ensured its creation. Imagine the atmosphere at that time, the sound of the impact of stones, the work of carpenters and the vision of one of the most important nobles of his time, who wanted to leave a trail in the form of a functional and at the same time beautiful building. The Baroque was an era of grandeur and order, and this is very clear here.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself before you. Look carefully at the overall design of the building. Note that she has a rectangular plan, which gives her a sense of stability and balance. If you look up to the sky, you will see a half-wooden roof, which is a typical element of the time and helps the building to act harmonically in the landscape. Now focus on the facade details, the outer walls. Notice the so-called cordon ledge, which is the horizontal exiting strip that optically divides the building and gives it structure. and at the same time watch the mould frame, i.e. those flat vertical outputs on the walls that create rhythm and break the monotony of the surface. These elements are not only an ornament, but express a Baroque sense of geometry and aesthetics.

If you look around the main building, you'll see something we can hardly find in modern cities today. It's an economic court. This part of the campus tells us a very human story about what the life of a priest looked like in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Fara wasn't just an office or an apartment, it was basically a small estate. The premises used to be continuously, sheep's house and stables. Imagine the morning noise of animals, the smell of hay and the daily work that was going on here. The priest and his helpers had to be not only educated in theology, but also proficient in the economy in order to be self-sufficient. This relationship between spiritual mission and earthly work on earth is still felt in this place.

There are specific personalities associated with this place. In addition to the already mentioned Josef Václav Vavríce from Liechtenstein, who had the building built, the name Ondřej Miklík appears in connection with the history of this place. Even though the architecture of the rectory remained in the hands of the unknown masters of its time, the influence of prominent figures and craftsmen left their prints. It is fascinating to think about how many people have lived in these areas, how many advice and reefs have been given here and how many important decisions have been made over the centuries.

But time didn't stop and the building had to adapt to new times. One such break was the year one thousand nine hundred nineteen, when electricity was first introduced into the rectory building. Imagine the contrast when the first electric light got into the baroque walls, which only remembered the light of candles and oil lamps. It was a symbol of the modern world that began to penetrate even these quiet corners. Another major milestone was May 3rd of the year one thousand nine hundred fifty-eight. On this very day, the rectory was officially declared a cultural monument. With this act, the state has recognised that this building is not just an old house, but a valuable piece of our common heritage that must be protected for future generations.

You may be wondering what state the building is in today. Historical buildings require constant care and time struggle. Several years ago, in particular in the year two thousand fourteen, there was an important repair of the roof. This repair was not only due to local efforts, but also helped the Ministry of Culture's Emergency Programme. Thanks to the fact that the roof was rebuilt in time, the building can continue to stand as a proud symbol of New Hradec and resist the weather discomfort.

Now that you're standing in front of this building, try to imagine how light changed here during days and nights for almost three centuries. Since the first work here on the foundations in the eighteenth century, through the flowering period, was carried out here, until today, when you are here. The rectory of New Hradec is not just a set of stones and mortar, it's a memory of the place. It is a reminder of a time when life was slower, when faith was the center of the community and when architecture tried to express the order and beauty of the divine world in earthly form.

Now let's invite you to look around in peace. Look around the economic court, see the texture of the walls, and think about how many stories these walls hide. You may hear echoes of the past, whispers of old books or the sound of footsteps in the halls. This rectory is a bridge between ancient times and present, and we're glad you found time to visit it.

Thank you for spending a moment with us at this beautiful Baroque monument. We hope you're interested in her history and architecture. Now you can continue to explore New Hradec and discover other hidden treasures of this region. We wish you a pleasant continued journey and many new experiences. Goodbye.