Kostel Povýšení svatého Kříže s farou a kaplankou Church
The Church of the Ascension of the Holy Cross stands at the west end of the Old Rožmitál in a place where archaeological research proves settlement in prehistoric times. It is the oldest preserved cultural monument in this territory.
The exact beginning of its creation is unknown. It is assumed, however, that a pagan altar used to stand at the place, which was gradually replaced by a Gothic church, older than the chateau itself and the city below it. The early Gothic church had the shape of a cross, a separate bell tower, a side entrance and was surrounded by walls with two gates. Around it was a settlement called Old Town, a gradually growing cemetery, and later there was a parish and a skeleton - now called the chaplain.
The parish covered at least 14 surrounding villages and settlements. In ancient times, the Earth's trade path from the Czech border to Moravia led this way. In the 16th century, the congregation was an important church center. In 1526 Václav Hájek of Libočan became a priest, but he left the parish for the following year and carried many church equipment with him. The locals sued him; He had to return everything and pay the legal expenses.
In the early 1930s, vicar Václav Vavřinec Hoffmistr Přeštický made extensive modernization. From 1729 to 1731 the church underwent Baroque reconstruction. The bark was expanded, the side entrance was removed and a new tower was added to the temple ship, ending with onion fighting. The Gothic shape of the cross and the remains of the rib arch with the Chapel of St. Wenceslas remained preserved. From Hoffmaster's time comes the original altar and altar paintings by Bedřich Kamarit.
The church was expecting a hard test. On May 5th, 1794, he was struck by lightning and set fire to the adjoining rectory. The bells dissolved and the roof burned, but the organ from 1750 - built under the priest Antonín Planýr - was miraculously protected. This instrument was played by the teacher and composer Jakub Jan Ryba, who wrote his Czech Christmas Mass. In March 1933, the church was hit by a second fire, formed in the adjoining carriage with straw. The fire spread across the barn to the roof and the pit of the church. All he left were bare walls.
The original equipment left the Gothic stone baptist, returned to the church in the 1990s, and the tin baptist from 1596, created by Prague's victor Andrew Marík. Under the church ship there is a closed crypt with cast iron plate from 1759, where the priests Václav Vavřinec Hoffmistr Přeštický and Antonín Planýř are buried. At the church stands a chaplain from 1795, originally a skeleton, and a statue of Jan Nepomuk from 1729. In 1882 a new staircase was built from the north side, composed of eight stairs, each eight steps long and eight steps wide. Since 1958, the entire complex has been protected as a cultural monument.
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
- before 13th century
- Archeologically documented prehistoric settlement and the probable existence of a pagan luncheon on the site of the church.
- 1347
- The expansion of the church's core after 1347, which is the last documented building change before the Baroque reconstruction.
- 1729-1731
- Baroque reconstruction of the church, in which the bark was extended and the tower with onion end was added.
- 1933
- The second church fire, with only bare walls left.
Architectural development
The original church of the second 13th century was built in the shape of a cross with Gothic elements, such as a bell tower and a side entrance. After 1347 he passed the enlargement. In 1729-1731, it was rebuilt baroque, keeping only the rib arch and chapel of St. Wenceslas. The tower ended with onions. After the fire in 1794 and 1933 only bare walls remained. The Gothic elements, such as the stone baptizer and tin from 1596, were preserved.
Historical events
- before 13th century
- Likely to establish a pagan luncheon at the site of today's church, later replaced by an early Gothic church.
- 1729-1731
- Baroque reconstruction of the church for the vicar Václav Vavríc Hoffmár Preštice, during which the bark was extended and the tower was added.
- 1794
- The church fire and the priest caused by the lightning that burned down the rectory, but the organ from 1750 was saved.
- 1958
- Registration of the church and the premises in the li
Owners
Choir Roudno
Points of interest
- The Church of the Ascension of the Holy Cross is the oldest preserved cultural monument of Old Rožmitál, with a settlement on site already in prehistoric times.
- In his place, first stood the pagan altar, which was replaced by an early Gothic church older than the chateau and the city below.
- In the 16th century the parish belonged to important church centres, but the priest Václav Hájek of Libočan left the place in 1526 and had to return the stolen church equipment.
- In 1729-1731 the church underwent a Baroque reconstruction, which created a new tower with onion-shaped dancing and preserved Gothic elements as a rib arch.
- In 1794 it was destroyed by a fire that burned with the rectory, but the organ from 1750 was preserved and on it played Jakub Jan Ryba during the composition * Czech Christmas Mass *.
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.
On a hilltop at the western end of Staré Rožmitál stands the parish church of Povýšení svatého Kříže. Archaeologists have documented prehistoric settlement here. When the church was founded is unknown, yet it is the oldest cultural monument of Rožmitál. It probably replaced an earlier pagan sacrificial site. A Gothic church later rose on this spot, older than both the castle of Rožmitál and the town below it. The teacher and composer Jakub Jan Ryba played on the organ here, and he composed the Czech Christmas Mass at this church.
The early Gothic church had the shape of a cross, a separate bell tower, and a side Gothic entrance. It was surrounded by fortifications with two gates and a cemetery. A territorial trade route led around it from the Bohemian border to Moravia. The settlement below the church was always called Staré město. The parish was extensive and included sixteen villages, including Rožmitál pod Třemšínem.
In 1526, Václav Hájek z Libočan became the parish priest. However, after just one year he left for Karlštejn. The locals sued him for taking away many church items, and he had to make compensation and pay the court costs.
Between 1729 and 1731, parish priest Václav Vavřinec Hoffmistr Přeštický had the church rebuilt in the Baroque style. The choir was enlarged, the side entrance disappeared, and a tower with an onion dome covered in shingles was added. From the Gothic period, the shape of the cross remained, as well as remains of ribbed vaulting with the chapel of Saint Václav.
On the night of May 5, 1794, lightning struck the parsonage and fire engulfed the church as well. The bells melted, but the organ from 1750 was successfully saved. A year after the fire, an ossuary was built next to the church, today's chapel. Nearby stands a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk from 1729. It once decorated a small cemetery, where burials ceased in 1854.
From the furnishings, a Gothic stone baptismal font and a tin baptismal font from 1596 by the Prague tinsmith Ondřej Mařík have survived. The Baroque altars are also original. The altarpiece of Saint Václav and a copy on the main altar were painted by Bedřich Kamarýt. In the crypt beneath the church, sealed with a cast iron plate from 1759, several parish priests rest, as well as Klára Laglerová, the mother of Ryba's wife.
In 1882, the affiliated villages contributed funds for a new staircase from the north. It has eight steps, each eight paces long and eight paces wide. According to writer Hofmeister, it is dedicated to the number eight as a symbol of infinity and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
On March 18, 1933, the church burned again. The fire started in a shed with straw, spread to a neighboring barn and farm buildings, and eventually set the roof and dome ablaze. Of the church, only the bare walls remained.
Since 1958, the church and its entire complex has been protected as a cultural monument.
Tips for visitors
The best time to visit the Church of the Holy Cross is in spring or autumn when the weather is pleasant and the ruin is not as covered with fog as in winter. In summer the place is often visited, so avoid hot noon hours. Ruina offers interesting views and a quiet environment that is ideal for walking and shooting without disturbing crowd.
The memory can be reached by car on local roads leading to the surfaces. It is recommended to use public transport where possible. Find out the current connection and traffic options in the traffic search engine.
When visiting, wear a comfortable shoe because the church terrain is uneven and stone steps can be slippery. It is also appropriate to take a map or GPS with you, because orientation in the surroundings can be difficult. If you are planning to photograph, don't forget your sunglasses and hat, because the sun can be very strong in open places.
The best places for photography are especially from outside ruins where a general view of the church and its surroundings is captured. Sunlight is an ideal morning or evening when you avoid hard shadows. The inside of the church is already in ruins, but some parts of the wall and portals can offer interesting details. Always respect the protection of the monument and do not lean against the wall.
In the vicinity of the monument is worth visiting the Chateau of Rožmitál, only about two kilometers away. This Gothic chateau from the 13th century offers a fascinating view of the past and beautiful views of the landscape. Another interesting thing is the Brno Monument, which is located about three kilometres from the church.
For families with children a visit to the Holy Cross Church is a great opportunity to explore history and nature. Children can see the ruins and talk about their past. There is also an opportunity to explore nature and find interesting stone formations or plants. It is recommended that you take with you any game or working sheets that children can fill out during the visit.
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: Starý Rožmitál, Středočeský 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. 31103/2-2560).
For kids
Imagine going back to a time when villages and cities were much smaller and less illuminated. Imagine you're a little knight with a sword in your hand and you want to discover the secret of the Old Church of the Holy Cross.
How did it look here? The church stood in a place where the rectory and the chapel stand today. But the first building was completely different. It was made of stone and had two towers that seemed like two great knights guarding the church from dangerous monsters.
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
- A Gothic chateau from the 13th century, located above the town of Rožmitál under Tremšín. It is famous for its period interior and views of the surroundings.
- Archaeological sites with preserved remains of medieval settlement and chateau.
- The highest peak of the Brdské lobe with a panoramic view of Středočeský kraj.
Accommodation nearby
Themed route
Thematic cruise route: Gothic and medieval tracks in Rožmitál
1.Kostel Povýšení svatého Kříže s farou a kaplankou * Type: * Sacral monument with historical area. * Why visit? * A unique baroque church from the 17th century, which stands in the place of an older Gothic temple. The Chaplain and the rectory keep valuable artistic and architectural details, including preserved fresco and mobility.
2. Castle Rožmitál * Type: * Gothic chateau with period interior. * Why visit? * One of the best preserved medieval forts in Bohemia, known for its valuable vaults and views of the surrounding countryside. The interior offers a view of medieval architecture and history of the family Rožmberk.
3. The Brno Monument * Type: * Archaeological site of medieval settlement. * Why visit? * The preserved remains of the chateau and villages from the 13th to 15th century reveal the lives of people in the time of Hussite wars. The site is important for the study of the Brno history and medieval way of life.
4. * Type: * Natural reservation with sightseeing point. * Why visit? * The highest peak of Brd (815 m) offers panoramic views of the surroundings and is ideal for a short tourist excursion. In the past, there was a guard tower that reminded us of the strategic importance of the site.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring: In the spring period, the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in the Old Rožmitál is transformed into a living painting, when the newly blooming trees and shrubs come to life in a diverse green dress. Sun rays illuminate the ruins of the church, which adds a romantic touch to its historical character. At this time the weather may be variable, so it is advisable to equip yourself with clothes according to temperature. Visiting at dawn or evening can help prevent midwinter crowds and provide a more peaceful experience.
Summer: In summer Starý Rožmitál is surrounded by living nature, which celebrates full sun days. The church at this time offers the best conditions for photography when the length of the day allows to capture different angles of light and shadows on its ruins. Summer comes with more visitors, so it is recommended to visit the memory early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid long fronts. Don't forget the sun protection and enough drinking water.
Autumn: Autumn brings gold and red colors to the landscape of the Old Rožmital, which makes the Church of the Holy Cross a unique photographic location. The quieter weather allows long walks around the monument and its surroundings, while the mild cold is pleasant to find. This season, a snow blanket may occur, which will further enrich the atmosphere. We recommend wearing warmer clothes and considering visiting on Sunday or evening when there are usually fewer people.
Winter: Winter Starý Rožmitál offers a peaceful atmosphere with the possibility to see the Church of the Holy Cross Ascension under the snow blanket, which gives its ruins a romantic and mystical look. Winter visit requires warm clothes, including hat and gloves, especially if you intend to walk around. The monument can be limited to a shorter period of openness due to difficult conditions, so it is advisable to inform yourself before visiting and plan your time accordingly. Winter calm can be ideal for quiet thinking and relaxation in the historic environment.
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.
View from the area
This animation was generated by artificial intelligence from a real photograph of the surroundings. The motion and details are not real footage of the location.
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: Halfirien / CC BY-SA 4.0, 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
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