Kostel Povýšení svatého Kříže (Nový Kostel) Church
In the otherwise inconspicuous landscape of Chebska, the visitor Nové Kostel will be captured just upon arrival by a tower with a mishlandish mansard roof and cross on top. The Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross is a single-boat Roman Catholic building that named the whole village - the name Nový Kostel was created as a distinction from the older church in the nearby Crossroads. Since 1997 it has been registered among cultural monuments of the Czech Republic.
The original church was built in 1613 on the initiative of the then priest from the Hlum of St. Mary and the administration initially belonged to the Hlam rectory. The church's own parish was established only in 1657. In 1776 the church passed through the enlargement that gave it today's form. The stormy episode in his history was 1845, when the tower struck by lightning: the church bells melted and the organ burned. After repair, the church was reopened and the clock was added to the tower in 1884.
After World War II, the church gradually fell apart. The local parish was destroyed in 2005 by the merger with the Skalná parish, under which the church is kept as a filial one. Rescue work started after 2000 brought an unexpected discovery: three hidden musical instruments were found in the church in 2010. It is believed that they come from the beginning of World War II, or were hidden by German musicians during relocations. The clock was completely renovated in 2009 and the church was completely repaired by 2018; there are occasional cultural events.
The construction is a single-boat oriented building with a rectangular boat, followed by a presbytery with a circular closure. Both the ship and the presbytery are broken down by pilasters. On the south side, a rectangular sacristy was added with an oratory on the floor. Above the west three-piece facade, the tower ends with a needle-mansard roof with a cross; church clocks are built into her body. The roofs of the ship, the presbytery and the sacristy are valbos. The facades are smooth with a profiled ledge, windows oblong with a full arch.
The interior features a pseudorenesance main altar from the second half of the 19th century and St. Anne's altar from around 1725. The immediate surroundings of the church are complemented by two sculptures: a statue of St. John Nepomuk from 1731 in front of the former parish and a pillar with a statue of the Virgin Mary from 1716 nearby.
For a visitor of Chebsk it is a stop that connects a stealth rural church with a remarkable story - from baroque beginnings to lightning-struck tower and mysteriously hidden musical instruments to a recent rescue and new cultural life.
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
- 1613
- The creation of the original church at the provocation of the vicar of St. Mary's Hlum.
- 1776
- Extensive reconstruction of the church to its present form.
- 1884
- Building a clock into a church tower.
- 1997
- Registration of the church in the list of cultural monuments of the Czech Republic.
Architectural development
The original church from 1613 was a simple construction, which in 1776 underwent a Baroque reconstruction, during which the boat was expanded and the sacristy with the orator was added. The facades are smooth with a profiled ledge, the tower ends with a manger mansard with a clock and a cross. The roofs are valbic, the interior is divided by pilasters. The altar of St. Anne dates back to around 1725, the main altar is pseudorenesantic from the second half of the 19th century.
Historical events
1657 - The establishment of the first parish right by the church, still managed from the Hlum of St. Mary.
1845 - The fire of the church tower caused by lightning, in which the organ burned and the bells melted.
2005 - The parish died by merging with the parish Skalná, the church became filial.
2018 - Complete extensive reconstruction of the church, which again becomes a place of cultural events.
Owners
The sequence of owners with years if available, otherwise zero.
Points of interest
- The Church of the Ascension of the Holy Cross gave the name of the whole village Nový Kostel, as it originally served for distinction from the older church in the nearby Crossroads.
In 1845, the church was struck by lightning, which melted down the church bells and burned down the organ.
- In 2010, three hidden musical instruments were discovered during the rescue work, probably from World War II.
- The church tower was completely renovated in 2009, including the clock that was added in 1884.
- Since 1997 the church has been registered among the cultural monuments of the Czech Republic.
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 village of Nový Kostel in the Chebsko region owes its name precisely to the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The name distinguished it from an older church in the nearby village of Křižovatka. It is a single-nave Roman Catholic church which has been protected as a cultural monument since 1997.
The original church was founded in 1613 at the initiative of the then priest from Chlum Svaté Maří. Initially it was administered by the Chlum parish, but its own parish was established only in 1657. The church was expanded to its present form in 1776.
In 1845 a lightning strike hit the tower. During the fire the bells melted and the organ burned. The church was then repaired and in 1884 a clock was added to the tower.
After the Second World War the church fell into disrepair. The local parish ceased to exist in 2005 when it was merged with the parish of Skalná. Since then the church has been administered as a filial church. Restoration began only after 2000. In 2009 the tower clock was completely reconstructed. A year later rescue work brought an unexpected discovery: three hidden musical instruments were found in the church. They most likely date from the beginning of the Second World War, or were hidden by German musicians during their evacuation. By 2018 the church was restored and cultural events are held there occasionally.
The church is an oriented building. An oblong nave is followed by a presbytery with a circular ending and both the nave and presbytery are articulated by pilasters. On the south side a rectangular sacristy with an oratory on the upper floor was added later. Above the western three-part façade rises a tower with a pyramidal mansard roof and a cross at the top. The tower contains a clock. The roofs of the church and sacristy are hipped. The smooth façades are enhanced by a profiled cornice and the rectangular windows are finished with a full arch.
The high altar is pseudo-Renaissance and dates from the second half of the nineteenth century. The older altar of Saint Anna was created around 1725. In front of the former rectory stands a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk from 1731. Nearby rises a column with a statue of the Virgin Mary from 1716.
Tips for visitors
Best time to visit the Church of the Holy Cross is in the summer months when the weather is pleasant and you can see the surrounding nature. Ideal is the morning or afternoon when light is mild and suitable for shooting interior and exterior. In winter the church is quieter, but some parts of the area may be frozen, which may limit walking.
The location is also available by car; There's a road from Cheb that leads directly to the New Church. It is recommended to verify the current transport situation, especially in the winter months. Public transport is a place available, the current connection can be found in the traffic search engine.
When visiting, wear comfortable clothes and shoes because the church and the surrounding area offer walks along forest and field paths. It is also appropriate to take a map or navigation because some paths may be less familiar. If you are planning to take photos, take a focus lens on nearby and remote objects.
Photography is allowed, but it is advisable to respect the peace and sacred character of the place. The best places for photography are the exterior of the church at sunset when light is soft and creates beautiful shadows. The interior is also interesting, but care must be taken not to break the rules of conduct in the church.
In the vicinity of the New Church is worth visiting the village Chlum Saint Mary, where the church was originally managed. Also interesting is the Rock, which is connected to the New Church of the Parish. For families with children, it is advisable to visit the surrounding forests and fields where children can discover nature and play.
For families with children it is advisable to visit the church at a time when children are less tired, for example in the morning. In the surroundings you can find small paths for walks where children can collect forest fruits or observe animals. Children can visit local monuments and learn about the history of the region.
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: č.p. 5, Nový Kostel, Karlovarský 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. 11852/4-5108).
For kids
Businesses nearby
Do you run a restaurant, accommodation, shop, museum, rental, wellness or other visitor service near this monument? Show yourself directly to the people heading to it — this is how they will see you in the app and on the web:
Nearby
In the area is located the village Chlum St. Mary, where originally the church was managed, and also Skalná, with which Nový Kostel is connected to the parish.
The natural landscape is typical of Cheb, with forests and field eels, nearby is the nature reserve of the Black Forest (about 5 km).
In Cheb, about 15 km from the New Church, there is a historical centre with a number of monuments such as the Cheb Chateau or the Church of St. Gilje.
Accommodation nearby
Themed route
Thematic cruise route Nový Kostel - Chlum Saint Mary - Rock
1.Kostel Povýšení svatého Kříže (Nový Kostel) * Baroque church * - Originally parish church of St. Mary's Hlum, built in the 18th century. Its interior with rich decoration and historical furniture and artistic parts reflects the spiritual life of the region. The tower offers views of the surrounding forests and field landscape of Chebska.
2. Chlum Saint Mary - Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary * Renaissance sacral structure * - Original parish church, which stood here before the reconstruction to the New Church. Its historical core and surrounding cemetery with memorial tombstones resemble the rich history of the village. The vicarage here was crucial to the administration of the church in the New Church.
3. Rock - parish church of St. Jacob the Greater * Gothic-Renaissance Church * - Parish connected with the New Church, offers a Gothic boat and later modifications. Its location near forests and fields symbolizes the connection with nature, which affected the life of the inhabitants. There is also a small chapel in the surroundings, which complements the sacral atmosphere.
4. Natural reservation Black forest (about 5 km from New Church) * Forest biotope * - Protected area with beech and mixed forests, ideal for walking and observing nature. Forest trails lead to small watercourses and hide rare plants and animals typical of Cheb. Suitable for relaxation after visiting churches.
* Recommended order: * Start in the New Church, continue to the Hlum of St. Mary, then to the Rock and end with a visit to the Black Forest. All points are interconnected historically and landscapically.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring During the spring, the Church of the Holy Cross is dressed in light, almost clear tones. The green greenery of the surrounding forests and meadows of flowering flowers create a harmonious whole with the church, while the sun's rays, which are beginning to extend, highlight its gothic details and colorful vitrates. The air is fresh and slightly moist, which gives the visit a calm, meditative atmosphere. The first half of spring is ideal for visiting, when crowds are not yet formed - the best time is early morning, when light falls directly into the interior and reveals its architecture in full glory. It is recommended that clothing suitable for variable weather conditions: light layers, umbrella and comfortable shoes, because after the rains the roads can be muddy.
Summer In the summer months the church becomes a centre of lively but quiet atmosphere, when its shadows and cool interiors offer relief from the sun's heat. The surrounding area is green and full of life, while evening twilight paints the church into soft, golden shades that create an unforgettable photographic background. In the main summer season, however, it is necessary to expect a higher interest of tourists, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. It is recommended to come early in the morning to avoid crowds, and to choose quieter moments like the late afternoon when visitors differ. Light, breathable clothes and sun protection are essential as well as plenty of water, as summer can be hot in the Karlovy Vary region.
Autumn Autumn brings a rich palette of red, orange and yellow shades around the church that contradict darker stone walls. The church appears to be a constant point in the variable autumn landscape, while fog and morning dew provide the place with a mysterious, almost fabulous atmosphere. In this period the visit is quieter, but the weather can change quickly - from sunny days to rainy and windy days. Clothing suitable for colder temperatures is recommended: warm sweaters, waterproof jackets and solid shoes, because forest trails can be slippery. The best time is this afternoon, when the fog disperses and the light is softer than noon.
Winter The winter landscape around the church is like a fairy tale: white snow covers the roofs and surrounding trees, while frozen windows of the church reflect the light of snow and create a game of light and shadow. In advent time and during Christmas holidays, the interior of the church becomes even warmer thanks to lighting and Christmas decorations that give the place a calm, reflexive mood. In winter, however, shorter opening times and possible closures must be envisaged due to snow conditions. It is recommended that warm, laminated clothing that protects against frost, and solid footwear with anti-slip liners, as the roads can be frozen. The best time is the afternoon when the light is softer and the crowds are smaller than noon.
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.
Tips from visitors
No tips yet. Be the first!
Log in and add your tip.
Sources and literature
Photos: JWeller / Public domain, rozlišení zvýšeno umělou inteligencí — 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
More monuments – Nový Kostel
Show all in the municipality
Příběhy a pověsti
Legendy, pověsti a příběhy spjaté s touto památkou
Fotografie návštěvníků
Zatím žádné fotografie. Buďte první, kdo přidá fotografii z návštěvy!
Log in a přidejte svou fotografii nebo hodnoťte.
Za ověřenou návštěvu v aplikaci získáte víc bodů — poznáme podle GPS, že jste na místě.
Reviews and comments