Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Podmokly

The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is a Roman Catholic parish church standing on Husovo náměstí square in the Podmokly district of Děčín, only about 200 metres from the town's main railway station. Built in a pseudo-Romanesque basilica style in the mid-19th century, it remains one of the defining landmarks of this part of the city.

What is the history behind the church?

Construction began in 1856 under Děčín builder Josef Perthene, with the foundation stone ceremonially laid on 18 August of that year. The new church was needed because Podmokly, a settlement located along the important Prague–Dresden railway line, was growing rapidly and its expanding population required its own place of worship. Building work continued until 1858, and the finished church was consecrated on 3 November 1861. For several decades it served only as a subsidiary chapel, and it was not elevated to full parish status until 1934.

The building underwent several rounds of modernisation over the following century. Electrical work and interior alterations took place in 1974–1975, and between 1992 and 1994 the church received a new roof and a renovated facade. Since 24 October 2016, the building has been officially protected as a cultural heritage monument.

What is inside worth seeing?

The most notable feature of the church's furnishings is a valuable Renaissance main altar dating from 1605. It was moved here in 1958 from a church in the village of Krásné Studenci, which was subsequently demolished in 1966. Thanks to that relocation, this unique piece of sacred art survived even though its original home no longer exists. Visitors exploring the interior can compare the altar's fine carved detail with the plainer, more austere 19th-century architecture of the church itself.

How do you get there?

The church stands right at the centre of Husovo náměstí, one of the main squares of Podmokly, the part of Děčín on the opposite bank of the Elbe from the old town. Its proximity to the main railway station, roughly 200 metres away, makes it one of the easiest historic sites in the city to reach for anyone arriving by train — simply step out of the station building and head toward the square. It works well as a first stop on a short walk through Podmokly, before crossing the river toward Děčín Castle.

When is the best time to visit?

As an active parish church, the interior is generally accessible around service times and during hours set by the local parish, so it is worth checking the current mass schedule in advance if you want to go inside. The square and the church's exterior, on the other hand, can be admired year-round, and the facade looks particularly striking in the afternoon light, when the sun illuminates the main front facing the square.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a protected cultural heritage monument since 24 October 2016.

Who built the church and when? It was built between 1856 and 1858 by Děčín builder Josef Perthene and consecrated on 3 November 1861.

Where does the main altar come from? It is a Renaissance altar from 1605, moved here in 1958 from a church in Krásné Studenci that was later demolished.

How close is it to the train station? The church stands about 200 metres from Děčín's main railway station, making it an easy stop for travellers arriving by train.