Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Husinec)

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Husinec is the parish church of this small town in South Bohemia's Prachatice district, best known as the birthplace of the medieval reformer Jan Hus. The building rests on Gothic foundations, though its current appearance dates from the early 19th century, after it was rebuilt following a major fire.

What is the history of the church?

The exact founding date of the church is unknown. For a long time it served merely as a branch of the parish in nearby Lažiště, with priests traveling from there to hold services. That changed in 1715, when the first resident chaplain settled permanently in Husinec. The parish itself was formally established on 21 August 1745 by Josef, Prince of Schwarzenberg, who appointed a parish priest — the rectory building already stood by then, on the site later occupied by the town school. In 1794 a second chaplain's post was created, a sign of the parish's growing importance.

The defining event in the church's history was the fire of 1802, which swept through much of the town. Besides the church itself, the blaze destroyed the rectory, the school and 48 houses, with total damage estimated at 78,000 guilders — an enormous sum for the time. Reconstruction began in the autumn of 1804, funded largely by public collections, including charity theatrical performances staged by local students to raise money. The church as it stands today is the result of that rebuilding effort.

What can visitors see inside?

The rebuilt church received furnishings scaled to the parish's more modest post-fire budget. Instead of an expensive carved altarpiece, a hand-painted altar triptych by Matěj Šíma was installed. The church also acquired a new organ with ten stops, financed in part through parish fundraising, while the interior is completed by brass candelabra and liturgical vessels.

What historic treasures does the church hold?

Despite the losses caused by the fire, the parish preserved — or later acquired — several valuable items. The oldest is a Gothic monstrance dating from the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. Other notable pieces include a chalice given by Pope Pius IX in 1877 and an Italian painting by Francesco Romanelli, donated to the church in 1880.

Where is the church located?

The church stands in the center of Husinec, a small town in the Prachatice district of South Bohemia, known chiefly as the birthplace of the religious reformer Jan Hus.

Frequently asked questions

What is the church in Husinec dedicated to? It is dedicated to the Exaltation (Elevation) of the Holy Cross.

Is the church connected to Jan Hus? Husinec is Jan Hus's birthplace, but available sources do not confirm a direct link between the church building itself and the reformer — the church in its current form was built long after Hus's lifetime.

Why doesn't the church look Gothic if it stands on Gothic foundations? Because its present shape results from the rebuilding after the 1802 fire, which destroyed the earlier church along with much of the town.

What is the most valuable object inside the church? A Gothic monstrance from the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, the oldest surviving piece of the church's furnishings.