Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Růžová

Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Růžová stands at the heart of the small village of Růžová, in the Děčín district of the Ústí nad Labem region, right in the middle of Bohemian Switzerland. The building has been protected as a cultural monument since 1966 and remains one of the most recognisable landmarks in this part of the Lusatian foothills.

How old is the parish of Růžová?

Written records of a parish in Růžová go back to around 1352, when it belonged to the deanery of Lípa - present-day Česká Lípa. That makes the local religious community one of considerable age, even though the church building visitors see today dates from a much later period.

When was the current church built?

The Baroque church standing today was built between 1710 and 1712. Construction was led by Christian Lagler, a builder from Teplice, under the patronage of Count František Karel Clary-Aldringen, a member of the noble family that held the surrounding estates. The finished building was consecrated on 9 October 1712 by Johann Christoph Müller, with members of the patron's family in attendance.

What did the church look like inside?

The interior was known for unusually rich furnishings. Among the most valuable pieces were ten paintings of the apostles produced in the workshop of Petr Brandl, one of the leading painters of Czech Baroque art. Their presence gave the parish church a significance that reached well beyond the village itself.

What happened to the church in 1988?

On 1 August 1988 the church was badly damaged by fire. The blaze started when the parish priest carelessly burned dry grass and leaves near the building; the flames spread to a nearby thuja tree and from there to the church roof, which burned down almost to the foundations.

How was the church rebuilt?

A complete reconstruction took place between 1996 and 2000. The work restored the structure and interior of the church, though the original furnishings - including the irreplaceable Brandl paintings - were lost in the fire. The rebuilt church was reconsecrated on 7 October 2000 by Bishop Josef Koukl.

Why is it worth a stop on a trip through Bohemian Switzerland?

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul ties the region's history to its present-day landscape - it stands right in the centre of a village on the routes leading deeper into Bohemian Switzerland, close to the German border. For visitors interested in Baroque architecture and the history of local parishes, it's a stop that illustrates how many monuments in this region have survived destruction and rebuilding while keeping their original meaning for local residents.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? In the centre of the village of Růžová, in the Děčín district of the Ústí nad Labem region, in the area known as Bohemian Switzerland.

When was the current church built? The Baroque church was built between 1710 and 1712 and consecrated on 9 October 1712.

Does the church still have its original 18th-century furnishings? No - the fire of 1 August 1988 destroyed the building almost completely, including the valuable apostle paintings from Petr Brandl's workshop. The interior seen today dates from the 1996-2000 reconstruction.

Since when has the church been protected as a monument? It has been listed as a cultural monument since 1966.