kostel svatého Jiří (Rudná) Church

The church of St. George in Rudná, in the town of Dusník, represents a fascinating layer of Czech history in one place. It stands on a hill called Homole, which has an extraordinary origin - an artificial building whose creation and purpose among historians still evoke debates. The New Romanesque architecture of the church from the beginning of the twentieth century brings an interesting combination of old and modern.

The story of Homole goes deep into the Middle Ages. The hill itself was created only a century before the medieval chapel of St. George, which is supposed to be founded in the 13th century. Building and archaeological surveys have confirmed that this is indeed the work of human hands, but how the hill was built, for what reason and when exactly, remains uncertain. The Chronicles attribute its creation to the Battle of the Lodnice of 1179, according to one version it was supposed to worship the memory of the leader of the Prince Hellich, who fell in battle. Another version tells us that at the order of Prince Soběslav II, the enemy and the horse were buried alive here. But many historians reject this connection.

The medieval chapel was repaired in 1595, and less than a century later it was replaced by a larger building. In 1687 and 1688 a Baroque church dedicated to St. George was established in its place. This temple was consecrated on 4th July 1690 by Bishop Jan Dlouhoveský. The Baroque building suffered - stood on soft, loose ground and in the vicinity led the railway line from Prague to Beroun. The tremors and vibrations caused a crack in his facade. In 1904, the expert committee decided on his demolition.

Between 1908 and 1910 a whole new temple grew. According to the plans of architect Arnošt Živný he was built in a new Romanesque style on a solid concrete plate. Architecture takes the honor of oriented disposition and remarkable prism tower in the western facade. 52 stone steps lead to the temple. In 1910, just before the sanctification of Bishop František Brusák on June 12, three bells were hung into the tower from the Archbishop's palace.

Today the church serves as a filial temple of the parish Rudná-Hořelice, where regular services are held. The city of Rudná has taken over the location for long-term use and plans to revitalize on the hill - repairing the staircase and park modifications. The church remains a living part of the landscape with a rich story connecting the Middle Ages, Baroque and modern times.