Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Veselí nad Lužnicí

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Veselí nad Lužnicí is a Roman Catholic parish church and one of the most recognizable landmarks of this South Bohemian town. The building is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic and still serves as the parish church of the local Roman Catholic community.

How old is the church?

The first written mention of the church dates back to 1261, making it one of the older sacred buildings in the region. The original structure was built in the early Gothic style. In the third quarter of the 14th century, a chancel was added to the nave, giving the church roughly the shape it retains today.

Over the centuries the building underwent numerous alterations and repairs. In 1655 it was damaged by a fire that seriously affected the interior, forcing the nave to be re-vaulted — work completed in 1658. The tower's final, present-day appearance dates from 1724 and is the work of architect Anton Erhard Martinelli, who gave it its distinctive Baroque form.

What does the church's architecture look like?

The church is single-naved, with a polygonal chancel closed by a ribbed vault — a solution typical of Gothic sacred architecture. Despite repeated reconstructions, the church has preserved a legible Gothic layout, complemented by Baroque elements introduced in the 17th and 18th centuries, above all in the tower.

Notably, the building combines layers from different periods: a Gothic nave and chancel, a Baroque tower, and interior furnishings dating mainly from the post-Tridentine renewal of Catholic churches.

What can visitors see inside?

Medieval wall paintings survive on the church's north wall, discovered only in 1909 during restoration work, having previously been hidden under layers of plaster. They are among the most valuable elements of the interior decoration and attest to the building's age and significance.

The interior also features Baroque altars dating from 1690 and 1740. Created during different phases of the church's Baroque refurbishment, they remain the main decorative focus of the interior today.

What is inside the church tower?

The tower holds four bells, named Arvita, Kříž, Martínek, and Marie. Rebuilt to Martinelli's design in the first half of the 18th century, the tower gives the church its distinctive silhouette, visible from afar, and remains one of the most important landmarks of Veselí nad Lužnicí.

Where is the church located?

The church stands in Veselí nad Lužnicí, a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, at coordinates 49.1843368 N, 14.6974155 E.

Frequently asked questions

What is the church called in Czech? Kostel Povýšení svatého Kříže.

When was the church built? The first written mention dates from 1261, and the original structure was built in the early Gothic style.

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

What is worth seeing inside the church? Medieval wall paintings on the north wall, discovered in 1909, and Baroque altars from 1690 and 1740.

Who designed the church tower? The tower's final 1724 appearance was designed by architect Anton Erhard Martinelli.

How many bells are in the tower? Four bells, named Arvita, Kříž, Martínek, and Marie.