Church of Sacred Heart

The Church of the Sacred Heart stands in Kopaniny, a district of the town of Aš, in the Cheb district of the Karlovy Vary Region, right at the westernmost edge of Czechia, close to the border with Germany. This small pseudo-Gothic Catholic church has shaped the local skyline for more than 130 years.

Where exactly is the church located?

The building sits in Kopaniny, part of Aš within the Cheb district of the Karlovy Vary Region. Its geographic coordinates are 50.2616, 12.2289. Aš itself lies in the westernmost corner of the Czech Republic, and Kopaniny is one of its outlying districts.

When was the church built, and who commissioned it?

The church was built in 1890, during the period when the surrounding land belonged to the Zedtwitz family. It was under their rule that this church — described in local sources as a "majestic Catholic church" — was raised to serve the local community in Kopaniny.

What architectural style does the building follow?

The church was built in the pseudo-Gothic style, a form widely used in Central European sacred architecture in the late 19th century. Its most distinctive feature is the tower dominating the front facade: square at its base, it transitions into an octagonal upper section. Both the tower and the nave are decorated with elegant supporting pillars, lending the building a sense of lightness despite its austere, Gothic-inspired form.

What stands out inside the church?

The nave follows an unusual rectangular layout for a church of this period. Three chapels are placed at the rear of the building — a solution rarely seen in small rural and suburban churches of that era. The interior is lit by windows lining both sides of the nave, eight on each side, providing even daylight throughout the space.

Is it worth visiting?

The church in Kopaniny is a fitting stop for anyone exploring the area around Aš and interested in the sacred architecture of the Karlovy Vary Region. The site is described as retaining an elegant atmosphere and charm despite more than 130 years since its construction. It requires no lengthy detour and fits naturally into a route along the western edge of Czechia, near the German border.

Frequently asked questions

In which town is the Church of the Sacred Heart located? In Aš, specifically in its Kopaniny district, within the Cheb district of the Karlovy Vary Region.

When was the church built? In 1890, while the surrounding land was under the rule of the Zedtwitz family.

In what architectural style was it built? In the pseudo-Gothic style, typical of Central European sacred architecture from the late 19th century.

What is the most notable architectural feature of the church? Its tower, square at the base and transitioning into an octagonal upper level, and the three chapels placed at the rear of the nave rather than along its sides, as was more common at the time.

Is the church still in religious use today? Available sources do not specify a current service schedule or the building's technical condition — they only confirm that the site has retained its historic character and appearance.