Kostel Nalezení svatého Kříže v České Lípě Church
The Church of the Holy Cross is located in Moscow Street in České Lípa and is one of the important sights of the local city zone. The building is owned by the Roman Catholic Church, namely the parish and the deanery of České Lípa. The protection regime applies not only to the church itself, but also to the adjacent park with a set of small sacral structures - the Baroque sculpture of St. John Nepomuk, the Empire chapel and historical tombstones.
The exact date of establishment and the name of the builder are unknown. There are assumptions about the share of builder Peter Parlér, pioneer of the Gothic architecture. The oldest written mention of the existence of the church dates back to 1389, when the owner of České Lípa Hynek Berka from Dubé sold it with donation to the main altar. The church was already an existing building in Leipzig suburb at that time. This position predetermined it for an extraordinary test: in 1426, it was devastated by the great fire of the city. It can be repaired after a long time, but it is only in 1490. During the sixteenth century, non-Catholic priests preached here, reflecting the period of reformation. Return to the Catholic cult took place in 1622 when Albrecht of Valdštejn regained it for Catholics.
The church function was changing over time. Originally served as a cemetery church, the cemetery is located two meters up in the slope. Another test was the fire from 1787, which the church resisted and became a parish temple. In the course of the nineteenth century, he confessed to several repairs.
A fundamental change brought about by the era of Josef Mocker. From 1896 to 1897 this famous Czech architect made extensive modifications in the neo-gothic style, after a previous detailed survey and faithful documentation of the original state. The reconsecrated church was introduced to the lithomeric bishop Emanuel Schöble on 19 September 1897. In 1937 it was equipped with electric lighting and decorated with wooden ceiling with Eucharist symbols. The monument was officially registered in the national list in 1965.
Architecturally, it is a gothic single-boat structure with an ousted presbytery that covers a star cross vault with a saddle roof. Presbytery complements the neo-gothic sacristy on the north side. The west hall is open five-sided with a rib arch. The main ship has a cassette ceiling dating back to 1675. Part of the interior equipment comes from the St. Nicholas church in the Old Town of Prague, for example decorated choir bench with designs of works by Albrecht Dürera. The walls of the church carry coats of arms associated with its history - especially Berks and gentlemen of Kunštát. The outside holds several tombstones, among which the historic epitaph of the Elbel family.
Between 2002 and 2019, the Church of Orthodox Church lent to the church for worship. The Czechoslovak Orthodox village was abolished in January 2019, and the church is no longer led in official schemes as a place of Orthodox services. Today, it is actively used for a Catholic cult and represents worthless evidence of the layered nature of European urban culture.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- 1389
- The first written mention of the church where Hynek Berka of Dubé sold the talent to the main altar
- 1426
- A great fire of the city in which the church burned down
- 1490
- The church was reconsecrated after the fire
- 1897
- The church passed through the neo-gothic reconstruction of Josef Mocker and was reconsecrated
- 1965
- Listed in the list of cultural monuments of the Czech Republic
Architectural development
The original Gothic one-ship building with the presbytery removed and the star vault was restored after the 15th century fire. In the 19th century there was extensive neo-gothic reconstruction of Josef Mocker, which gave the church its present form. In the interior there was preserved a cassette ceiling from 1675 and part of the device from St. Nicholas church in the Old Town of Prague. The church area also includes the Baroque sculpture of St. John Nepomuk and the Empire Chapel.
Historical events
1389 - First written mention of the church when Hynek Berka of Dubé sold the talent to the main altar
1426 - The great fire of the city in which the church burned down, reconsecrated in 1490
1897 - Extensive neo-gothic reconstruction of Josef Mocker, reconsecrated on September 19, 1897
1965 - Listed in the list of cultural monuments of the Czech Republic
Owners
roman Catholic Church, parish - deanery Česká Lípa
Points of interest
- The church is one of the important monuments in the centre of Česká Lípa and is owned by the Roman Catholic Church.
- The oldest written mention of the church dates back to 1389, when Hynek Berka of Dubé donated it to the main altar.
- The church was destroyed in 1426 by the great fire of the city, but was subsequently restored and consecrated in 1490.
- During the reformation in the 16th century, non-Catholic priests served here, and in 1622 he recovered it for the Catholics of Albrecht of Valdštejn.
- In 1896-1897 the architect Josef Mocker made extensive modifications in the neo-gothic style after a careful survey of the original state.
Guide
This guide is narrated by a synthetic voice generated by artificial intelligence.
Show guide text
This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
The Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic parish church on Moskevská Street in České Lípě. At the time of its creation, it stood on the eastern outskirts. Today it lies in the city center, in the municipal heritage zone, below the municipal cemetery. Historical sources refer to it by its German name Kreuzkirche, and the street was called Křížová until 1939.
We do not know exactly when the church was founded and who built it. There are theories about the influence of builder Peter Parler. The oldest written mention comes from 1389. At that time, the owner of České Lípě, Hynek Berka z Dubé, sold an endowment to the burgomaster Hynek z Weitmile and the councillors for the high altar on the Lipany suburb. So the church already existed at that time.
In 1426, a great fire struck the city and the church burned down. The repairs took a long time and it was not reconsecrated until 1490. In the sixteenth century, non-Catholic priests preached there. In 1622, Albrecht z Valdštejna recovered it for the Catholics. The church served as a cemetery church, with the cemetery lying about two hundred meters above it on a slope. It survived the city fire of 1787 and became a parish church.
The architect Josef Mocker gave it its present Neo-Gothic appearance. The renovations between 1896 and 1897 were preceded by a detailed survey, and Mocker also worked from surviving drawings. On September nineteenth, 1897, the church was reconsecrated by the Litoměřice bishop Emanuel Schöbl. In 1937 it received electric lighting and its wooden ceiling was decorated with eucharistic symbols. It has been a cultural monument since 1965. Between 2002 and 2019, the Catholic parish lent it to the Orthodox Church for services.
It is a Gothic single-nave structure. The recessed presbytery has star cross vaulting, and a Neo-Gothic sacristy stands at its northern side. On the western side is an open five-sided vestibule with ribbed vaulting. There were portals on both sides, the northern one was bricked up in the nineteenth century. The main nave is covered by a coffered ceiling from 1675.
Some of the furnishings come from the Church of Saint Nicholas in Staré Město in Prague. These include choir stalls in the presbytery, decorated with imitations of works by Albrecht Dürer. On the walls are coats of arms of the Berks and a smaller coat of arms of their relatives, the Lords z Kunštátu. On the outer wall are several tombstones, including an epitaph of the Elbel family, from which came Mauritius Elbel, the abbot of the Cistercian monastery in Osek. The adjoining small park with a Baroque sculpture of Saint John of Nepomuk, an Empire-style chapel, and tombstones are also protected as monuments.
Tips for visitors
The best time to visit the church Finding the Holy Cross is during the morning hours when the interior is pleasant light and fewer visitors. If you want to experience a quiet atmosphere, come here on Monday or late afternoon, when the church is often less disturbed. In summer it is advisable to visit the church during the week when the weather is pleasant outside and you can see the surrounding cemetery with its picturesque location in the slope.
The church is easily accessible by car because it is located in the centre of České Lípa. If you arrive by public transport, stops are nearby and the current connection can be verified in the traffic search engine. It is recommended to walk on foot because the church and its surroundings are very compact and offer pleasant walks through the historical centre.
When visiting, wear comfortable clothes and shoes because the church and the surrounding cemetery are located on a slightly steep terrain. In winter bring warm clothes because the outdoor areas can be cold. It is also important to take a map or navigation if you want to visit the cemetery, which is located about 200 metres from the church. If you are interested in photography, remember to take batteries and memory cards because the interior and exterior offer many interesting details.
For photography are the most suitable places in the interior of the church where natural light is ideal for capturing gothic details such as stained glass and stone statues. The best time for photography is in the morning or afternoon when light is not too hard. The exterior of the church is also very photogenic, especially at sunset, when lighting the towers and facades. When shooting the cemetery, be careful to respect the privacy and peace of the visitors.
There are several interesting places around the church that are worth visiting during your trip. You can visit the old cemetery near the church, which is part of the monument protection and offers a quiet environment with historical atmosphere. Another interesting thing is the town monument zone of České Lípa, which includes other historical buildings and picturesque streets. If you have time, you can also walk around the edges of the city and admire its natural beauty.
For families with children, a visit to the Church of the Holy Cross is very interesting. Children can see gothic paintings and statues that fascinate them with their detailed processing. In the vicinity of the church it is also possible to play in the cemetery, which offers plenty of space for walking and exploring. It is also recommended to visit the urban monument zone where children can see historical houses and learn about their history. It is also interesting for children to visit nearby parks where they can play and relax.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
Religious buildings are usually open mainly during services; at other times a visit is normally arranged with the parish or the operator. We have not verified specific times.
Where is the monument?
Location: Česká Lípa, Liberecký kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic as a cultural monument (register no. 29320/5-2774).
For kids
Imagine going back to the past, when Česká Lípa was still a small town. The Church of Finding the Holy Cross was young and full of life back then. How did it look here? There were people here who lived for a living in agriculture and trade. The city was surrounded by forests and rivers that supplied water to the city pond.
It was like a game where everyone played their part. The church was the center of the city where people went to prayer and where weddings and funerals were held. The city was full of life, full of sound and smell.
Businesses nearby
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Events nearby
Zdroj akcí: otevřená data měst a obcí ČR (Národní katalog otevřených dat) a kalendář akcí Národního památkového ústavu.
Accommodation nearby
Themed route
1. Church Finding the Holy Cross in Czech Lípa Main objective This important church represents the main destination of our journey and is located right in the historical heart of the city. The building attracts visitors with its unique atmosphere and sacral architecture.
2. Town Monument Zone České Lípy Monuments The whole church is part of a protected urban monument zone, which includes the entire historical core of the city. The walk through this zone offers a view of the preserved urban development in the immediate vicinity of the main destination.
3. The cemetery at the church Finding the Holy Cross Monuments The old cemetery is located about 200 metres above the church in the slope. A historical wall is also part of the historical protection of this quiet place.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring in Czech Lípa brings about an awakening nature, where nearby parks and shores of nearby Ploučnice play a fresh green color. A tour of the Church of the Holy Cross is in this period a specific piercing spring sun, which, through the still unpolished trees, hits the historical facade and creates interesting shadows on the wall. The inner spaces of the temple attract pleasant silence and colder air after winter. From a practical point of view, this is an ideal time for a peaceful visit without large crowds of tourists, but due to frequent spring showers, it is worth packing solid shoes and waterproof clothing. The ideal time to enter the interior is the morning hours, when natural light best stands out on architectural details.
Summer in the vicinity of the Liberec Monument is characterized by pulsating urban life and long sunny days, which directly encourage all day trips. The atmosphere in the temple itself is very refreshing during July and August afternoons, as strong outdoor temperatures contradict the pleasant cup and shadow under the massive vaults. In the main summer season you will meet a higher attendance rate, which is why it is the best time for an early morning tour right after opening, when you enjoy the memory in complete peace. Put on light but decent clothes covering your shoulders and knees, don't forget your city-wide sunglasses and a bottle of drinking water, because on hot days you will spend more time out in the direct sun than you plan.
Autumn turns the whole city into a picturesque palette of ochre, golden and red colors, which adds an extremely photogenic character around the church. The specifics of this period are soft, low autumn light, which magically illuminates the old sacral architecture at sunset and induces a deeply quiet, melancholic atmosphere. But raw and windy weather with occasional morning fog requires thorough preparation. We recommend to wear a warm coat, scarf and comfortable waterproof shoes because the tiles around the building can be slippery after rain or morning dew. The number of visitors falls significantly at this time, so you can enjoy an uninterrupted experience in the afternoon when the sun falls to the horizon.
Winter in České Lípa covers the historic centre into a peaceful, sometimes snowy atmosphere, in which the monumental silhouette of the church excels with unprecedented purity. The interior of the monument in advent time and during winter months is very festive, but due to the absence of strong heating in historical buildings there are low temperatures. Practical advice for this period is absolutely essential: choose really warm winter clothes including cap, gloves and thermo-linens to enjoy every detail of the interior in peace. Due to a shorter day and a limited winter opening time, it is best to plan a visit to lunch hours, when it is the hottest outside and the surrounding alleys are the least snowed in.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
Atmosphere of the place
This atmospheric visualisation of the place and period was generated by artificial intelligence. It is not real footage of the location.
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Sources and literature
Photos: VitVit / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
Location on the map
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