Church of Saint Joseph (Svitavy)

The Church of Saint Joseph in Svitavy, nicknamed the "Red Church" for the material it was built from, stands in the Lány district on U Stadionu street. It is a three-nave neo-Romanesque basilica with two towers on its façade, built entirely of exposed red brick — the source of the nickname locals still use for it today.

Why was the church built?

The project was initiated by Father Josef Karlegger, a Redemptorist priest who wanted to extend his order's activity from nearby Koclířov to Svitavy. The foundation stone for the church and the adjoining Redemptorist monastery was laid in 1894. Construction took two years: the design came from Viennese court architect Josef Schmalzhoffer, while the building work itself was carried out by local Svitavy builder Václav Ryšavý. The church was solemnly consecrated on September 8, 1896.

What happened to the Redemptorist community here?

The Redemptorists ran the church and monastery without interruption until 1945. Following the end of the Second World War, in 1946 the community's German-speaking members were expelled from Czechoslovakia. Czech Redemptorists continued their work at the church for a few more years, but on April 14, 1950, they were arrested and imprisoned by the communist secret police as part of a nationwide crackdown that dissolved religious orders across the country. That date closed a chapter of more than fifty years of continuous Redemptorist presence at the church.

What does the church's architecture look like?

The building follows the neo-Romanesque style and is laid out as a three-nave basilica, meaning the central nave rises above the two side aisles, allowing light to enter through windows set above their rooflines. Two towers frame the façade, and the entire structure was built from unplastered red facing brick, giving it the raw, distinctive look that earned it its popular name.

What condition is the church in today?

The church is currently undergoing gradual renovation, with part of the cost covered through funds raised in a public fundraising campaign. That ongoing effort reflects the building's continued importance to the local community in Svitavy and the Lány district.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called the "Red Church"? Because of its building material — the entire structure is made of red brick left unplastered, a look clearly visible from the outside that sets it apart from other churches in Svitavy.

Where exactly is the church located? In the Lány district, part of the town of Svitavy in the Pardubice Region, on U Stadionu street.

Who designed the church? The design came from Viennese court architect Josef Schmalzhoffer, while local builder Václav Ryšavý carried out the construction.

Was there a monastery attached to the church? Yes. The church was built together with a Redemptorist monastery, and the order was active there from the 1896 consecration until its forced dissolution in 1950.

Can visitors see the church today? The building is in use and undergoing gradual renovation funded partly by public donations — it's worth checking local opening hours before a visit.