Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Dvůr Králové nad Labem

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross stands in the Lower Suburb of Dvůr Králové nad Labem, a small town in the Hradec Králové Region of eastern Czechia. Locals simply call it "kostelíček" — the little church — a nickname that fits this modest Baroque building well. It's protected today as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

What is the history behind the church?

The earliest record of a place of worship on this spot dates back to 1500, when a wooden Church of the Holy Cross stood in the town's Lower Suburb. That wooden structure eventually fell into disrepair, and in 1752 a brick church was built in its place, commissioned during the reign of Maria Theresa, then Queen of Bohemia. The tower wasn't added until the end of the 18th century, roughly thirty years after the main body of the church was completed.

What makes the interior distinctive?

The most unusual feature inside is the main altar, which isn't a framed altarpiece but a painting done directly onto the wall. The work came from Jan Kramolín, a painter from Nový Bydžov active in the region of eastern Bohemia around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. Kramolín depicted the Crucifixion of Christ, setting the scene against a painted backdrop of Dvůr Králové nad Labem as the town looked in the 18th century. The altar therefore serves a double purpose, religious and documentary, preserving a record of the town's historic appearance.

Where does the nickname "kostelíček" come from?

The name "kostelíček," literally "little church," came about naturally among the townspeople because of the building's modest size compared with the town's other churches, including the nearby Church of St. John the Baptist. The nickname has stuck as a warm, informal way of referring to the building, used alongside its full liturgical name.

What role does the church play today?

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross remains an active Roman Catholic parish church, belonging to the Diocese of Hradec Králové. As a listed cultural monument of the Czech Republic, it forms part of the trail of religious heritage sites in Dvůr Králové nad Labem, alongside the town's other historic churches.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? In the Lower Suburb of Dvůr Králové nad Labem, in the Hradec Králové Region, Trutnov District, in eastern Czechia.

When was the current brick church built? In 1752, replacing an earlier wooden church first recorded in 1500.

Who painted the main altar? Jan Kramolín of Nový Bydžov, who depicted the Crucifixion directly on the wall with the town's skyline in the background.

Why is it called "kostelíček"? It's a local nickname reflecting the church's small size relative to the town's other churches.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.