Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Nová Ves)

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary stands in a small cemetery beside the road in the village of Nová Ves, in the Liberec district of northern Czechia, right next to Chrastava and only a short drive from Liberec. It is a modest, east-facing building with a rectangular nave and a polygonal chancel, and it has served as the local parish church for centuries.

What is the history behind the church?

The church was built between 1616 and 1617, funded by the widowed Countess Kateřina of Redern, born into the Šlik family. A foundation sponsored by the widow of one of northern Bohemia's most prominent noble houses explains why a small rural parish received such a carefully built church. Over the following decades the building went through several changes: modifications in 1680, followed by a rebuilding of the tower in 1697. The appearance visitors see today largely dates from 1782, when architect B.R. Ullrich reworked the earlier Renaissance structure to match the taste of his time. Since 1966 the church has been listed as a protected cultural monument under registration number 29144/5-4393.

What can you see inside?

The interior blends Baroque elements with a later, distinctly Rococo layer of furnishings. The centerpiece is the main altar from 1727, built as a columned architectural portal — a design typical of workshops active in the Liberec region at the time. Next to it stands a Rococo side altar from 1769 and a pulpit from the same year, suggesting a single coordinated refurbishment of the church in the second half of the 18th century. The Renaissance baptismal font, dating from around 1617, has also survived — the same age as the original building itself, and a rare piece of furnishing that outlasted every later renovation. The wooden, three-part musical choir gallery dates from 1769 as well, forming a coherent set of period woodwork together with the pulpit and side altar.

How do you get there?

Nová Ves lies in the Liberec district, directly adjacent to Chrastava, which makes it a convenient stop for anyone exploring the area around Liberec and the Ještěd ridge. The church stands right by the road, on cemetery grounds, so it is visible from the main route running through the village. Liberec or Chrastava make the best starting points — from either, the drive takes no more than fifteen to twenty minutes.

When is the best time to visit?

The church is an active parish, with regular services, so it is worth timing a visit to the hours when the building is open to visitors outside the congregation. An additional opportunity to see the interior comes with the nationwide "Night of Churches" event, held once a year, during which churches across Czechia — including this one in Nová Ves — open their doors to tourists and non-parishioners alike.

Frequently asked questions

Who funded the church in Nová Ves? It was funded between 1616 and 1617 by the widowed Countess Kateřina of Redern, née Šlik.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a Czech cultural monument since 1966, under registration number 29144/5-4393.

What is the oldest surviving piece of the interior? The Renaissance baptismal font from around 1617, dating from the time the church was built.

Can visitors go inside the church? It functions as an active parish church, so access depends on service hours; the annual "Night of Churches" event offers an additional chance to see the interior.