Kostel Božího Těla (Počátky) Church

Welcome to the picturesque beginnings of the Highlands. Right now, you're standing in front of an impressive complex that opens a gateway to deep history in front of you. Take a deep breath and look around you. Before your eyes is the church of God's Body, which together with the skeleton and bell tower from the end of the sixteenth century forms an absolutely unique whole. Feel the quiet atmosphere of a place that remembers centuries of human destinies, prayers and craftsmanship.

Let's go together against the tide of time and see how this shrine originated. The first written mention of the church and the local skeleton dates back to 15 hundred and sixty-five, when it was recorded in urban orphan books. At that time there was an older Renaissance building, from which until today, for example, rare lining with the signs of the Hradec masters, which reminds us of their former powerful patronage. At that time, in historical sources, he also reminds us of the name of Paul Ravrada. The life of the city has always been closely linked to the church, but the largest transformation of the entire complex took place in the early eighteenth century. In seventeen hundred and five to seventeen hundred eleven, the church passed through a magnificent Baroque reconstruction. You may be surprised where the money came from for this challenging construction event. The financing was provided by a so-called brewery flood, which was the proceeds of brewing beer. The author of this successful reconstruction was the builder Domenico de Angelis, who gave the temple his present face connecting the early Baroque expression with preserved older elements.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself. You are standing in front of an early Baroque sacral building, which also carries late Gothic elements. When you look at the available buildings, the three-boat area is situated in front of you, ending with a three-sided priesthood. The interior, which was created between seventeen hundred thirteen and seventeen hundred fourteen, is extremely richly decorated and bears traces of the manuscript of Vincent Švehla. Behold the altars which are the real masterpiece of sculptor František Baugut. These altars add depth and spiritual dimension to the inner space. Your attention will certainly also be drawn to the rare painting of the Lord's Dinner, the author of which is painter J. Schmid. And if you perceive the space of all senses, you will appreciate that in seventeen hundred and seventeen the interior was also enriched by Master Václav Pantoček of Dachic, who supplied the organ.

Looking back at the history of this place, specific human stories emerge from the fog of forgotten years. It's not just the names of builders and artists like Domenico de Angelis or František Baugut. The Church of the Body of God in Originals is deeply connected with the tradition of Soukenic craft. The church's surroundings lie on a route so called The Paths of the Old Soukenic Masters of the Originals. The masters and companions here came here not only to work, but also to seek spiritual comfort. The bell tower from the end of the sixteenth century and the adjacent skeleton form a harmonious whole with the church, which was declared a cultural monument for its insatiable historical and cultural value in nineteen hundred and sixty-three. This only confirms the importance of this location for the whole wide area.

Now try to imagine what life in the Originals looked like at the time when beer was brewed to support the construction, or when craftsmen walked past the old walls with coats of arms of the Hradec lords. Every stone carries the story of the people who lived here, worked and left us a legacy that lasted centuries.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of this special area. Take a moment to observe the details around you, walk quietly around and let the genius loci breathe on you. Thank you for your attention, I wish you a wonderful rest of your stay in the Originals and goodbye to other stories from the Highlands.