Husův sbor (Prague-Zbraslav)

Husův sbor is a small but distinctive church in the Zbraslav district in the southern part of Prague, belonging to the Czechoslovak Hussite Church. The building stands at the crossing of Elišky Přemyslovny and Matjuchinovy streets, and although it holds no formal heritage-protection status, it counts among the most recognizable landmarks in the area.

Where does the building come from?

The story behind this church is unusual — Husův sbor was not built from the ground up as a place of worship. Instead, it grew out of a former manor granary that had been used to store grain for more than a hundred years. The conversion into a church took place between 1938 and 1939, based on a design by architect Stanislav Vachata. This origin explains the building's elongated, unconventional shape, quite different from a church raised as such from scratch.

What architectural style does it represent?

The building is an example of interwar modernism with functionalist features. Its facade follows a simple, vertical layout, and the distinctive round windows set it apart from the surrounding residential buildings. A tower rises above the main structure, capped by an octagonal spire topped with a chalice — the symbol of the Hussite tradition, which visibly signals the building's denomination.

What is worth seeing inside?

The interior holds two elements of considerable historical value. The first is a Renaissance organ, protected as a movable cultural monument. The second is a portable Renaissance altar, originally created for the monastery church of St. James. Both pieces represent a much older tradition of sacred craftsmanship than the building that now houses them.

Who is buried in the columbarium?

Husův sbor also contains a columbarium holding the remains of Maxmilián Pirner, a respected Czech painter and graphic artist. This makes the church a point of interest not only for worshippers but also for anyone curious about Czech art history.

Can visitors attend services?

Yes — regular services of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church are held at Husův sbor. They take place on Sundays and church holidays, typically starting at 9:30 a.m.

How to find the church?

The building sits at the heart of Zbraslav, at the intersection of Elišky Přemyslovny and Matjuchinovy streets, in a quiet residential part of this southern Prague district, away from the bustle of the city center.

Frequently asked questions

Is Husův sbor a protected heritage building? The building itself carries no formal heritage-protection status, but its Renaissance organ is protected as a movable cultural monument.

Which church does it belong to? The Czechoslovak Hussite Church — reflected both in the building's name and in the chalice symbol on its tower.

What was the building used for before it became a church? It served as a manor granary, storing grain for more than a century, before being converted into a church between 1938 and 1939 to a design by Stanislav Vachata.

Is there anything unusual inside? Yes — a Renaissance organ, a portable Renaissance altar originally made for the monastery church of St. James, and a columbarium holding the remains of painter Maxmilián Pirner.

When are services held? On Sundays and church holidays, usually starting at 9:30 a.m.