This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
Promoted and Organized
Romualdo Del Bianco Foundation
Scientific Coorganizer
Collegio degli Ingegneri della Toscana
Coorganizer
Faculty of Architecture,
Brno University of Technology
Faculty of Architecture,
Cracow University of Technology
Faculty of Architecture,
Warsaw University of Technology
Faculty of Architecture, Slovak University of Technology
Partner
Kharkiv State Technical University of Construction and Architecture

► The list of the 5 selected churches - Czech republic
 
1. St. Paul and Peter's church at Albrechtice
The church dating from 1766 is a single-nave building with a baroque interior, ridge roof, and a square turret ending in an onion-shaped roof. It was built in place of a wooden 16th century church. I the vicinity of the church, a well-maintained cemetery can be found with an interesting layout. Even if this was originally a parish church, it is no longer used for services. This function was taken over by a walled church in 1930's.
We have chosen the building a representative of the 18th century churches with a valuable baroque interior and historic cemetery. Another reason is the not very good condition it is in and the necessity to face the problem of its further use.
(the roof is leaking, the timber has been attacked by biotic pests)
 
2. Corpus Christi Church at Guty
A church dating from 1563 is one of the oldest and picturesque ones of the Beskydy region with a remarkable structure, which is the main reason why we have turned our attention to it.
It was built as a catholic church. During the Reformation, it belonged to the Protestants for a lengthy period being only returned to the Catholic Church in 1654.
The church is a single-nave construction from large beams with a diameter of up to 60 cm. It consists of two, originally, probably independent, today, joined parts – a belfry and the nave. Along the outer walls of the building runs a kind of arcade – referred to as "sobota" for people to hide from bad weather. The belfry runs up to a square tower topped by a pyramid rooflet on which sits a wooden balloon with cross.
3. The Exaltation of the Cross church at Bystřice nad Olší,
A church dating from 1897 built in the place of a derelict church probably from the second half of the 16th century. The new is of a romanticized nature and is one of the most picturesque churches in North Moravia and Silesia.
The building has been chosen as a representative of the turn-of-the-century churches attracting attention to its appearance as well as structure.
 
4. An evangelic church at Velká Lhota
The church was built in 1783. We have chosen it because it is a unique sacral construction both in terms of its architecture and structure.
It was only possible to build the church after the Toleration Act of Joseph II. Strict rules applied to the construction of evangelic churches. A church was not allowed to have a bell-tower or tower and an entrance facing the main street.
At present, the church is the only one of this type of architecture in the Czech Republic and, as such, is certainly worth our attention.
   

5.1. All Saints' church at Sedliště,
Built in 1638, it is another representative of 17th century wooden churches. It is a single nave church. The structure of the building is dominated by a square turret above the church completed by a small turret over the presbytery. The nave is encircled by toured a kind of arcade – referred to as "sobota" for people to hide from bad weather. An old cemetery is sited near the church with a number of historically valuable cast-iron crosses.
Among the reasons why we have chosen this church as a representative of typical wooden 17th century churches in the North Moravia and Silesia is that its wooden painted ceiling needs a reconstruction badly.
 
5.2 St. Anthony of Padua's church at Prašivá
A filial church built in 1640. Its wooden rural architecture is typical of 17th century. It has a single nave built on stone foundations. Originally, it was built without a sacristy and tower added later on in 19th century. Its windows of atypical forms, non-gothic 19th century altar and walls painted in 20th century are among its features. Situated among the foothills of the Beskydy mountains it is a picturesque landscape element.
We have chosen the church because its rural sacral architecture is one typical of that region with interesting shapes. At present, it serves as a place of pilgrimage. Church services are only held in the summer time. Its technical condition is fairly good, but an overall reconstruction is foreseen.
 
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design Lubos Hazucha
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.