Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Jablonec nad Nisou

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Jablonec nad Nisou is an Old Catholic church that has stood as one of the town's most distinctive religious buildings for more than a century. The church is located in Jablonec nad Nisou, a town in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic, and has been protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1958.

Who designed the church and when was it built?

The building was designed in 1900 by local architect Josef Zasche. Construction was completed on 31 August 1902, and the church was consecrated on 8 November of the same year. The project cost 52,000 crowns, with construction carried out by the firm of builder Emilian Herbig, while Zasche himself oversaw the work to ensure it matched his original design.

Why is the church considered an Art Nouveau landmark?

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is regarded as the most valuable Art Nouveau monument in Jablonec nad Nisou and ranks among the most significant Art Nouveau sacred buildings in Europe. It is defined by a slender tower and restrained stucco decoration, with an interior kept deliberately simple rather than heavily ornamented, reflecting the Art Nouveau movement's search for a lighter architectural language for religious buildings at the turn of the 20th century.

Which community does the church serve?

From the outset the building served as an Old Catholic church, belonging to a community that separated from the Roman Catholic Church following the First Vatican Council. In Jablonec nad Nisou, a town long shaped by its glassmaking industry and a mixed religious history, the church represented an important part of local religious life around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Is the church still used for worship today?

Yes. Regular Old Catholic services continue to be held in the church to this day, meaning the building has never become a purely historical monument — it remains an active place of worship that has served its community continuously for well over a hundred years.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church stands within Jablonec nad Nisou, in the Jablonec nad Nisou District of the Liberec Region in northern Czechia. Its geographic coordinates are 50.7251, 15.1861.

Frequently asked questions

Who was the architect of the church? The church was designed by Josef Zasche, an architect working in Jablonec nad Nisou, who prepared the design in 1900.

When was the church built and consecrated? Construction finished on 31 August 1902, and the church was consecrated on 8 November 1902.

How much did the construction cost? The total construction cost was 52,000 crowns.

Which religious community does the church belong to? It is a church of the Old Catholic Church, where regular services are still held today.

What makes the church's architecture notable? Its Art Nouveau design, with a slender tower and restrained stucco decoration, has made it one of Europe's most valuable Art Nouveau sacred buildings, and it has been protected as a cultural monument since 1958.