Church of the Finding of the True Cross in Liberec

The Church of the Holy Cross in Liberec is a Baroque landmark standing in the Nové Město district and one of the most valuable religious buildings in the city, also forming part of the Via Sacra pilgrimage route. Protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, the church has roots stretching back to the late 17th century, tied to a grim chapter of local history.

Why is the church dedicated to the Holy Cross?

The site where the church now stands was once a plague cemetery. In 1680, an epidemic killed around 300 people in Liberec, and they were buried on this spot. That tragedy shaped the dedication of the future church, consecrated to the Holy Cross as a symbol of remembrance for the victims. The building stands in the historic district known as Nové Město, close to the city centre.

What did the first church on this site look like?

The original Baroque cemetery church was built between 1695 and 1698, its design attributed to Marco Antonio Canevalle, an Italian-born architect active in Bohemia. The building was laid out on a cross-shaped floor plan, a deliberate reference to the church's dedication. This early structure, however, did not survive unchanged to the present day.

Why was the church rebuilt in the 18th century?

In the mid-18th century, between 1753 and 1761, a new church replaced the older building, designed by Johann Joseph Kunze. Construction was finished in 1756, though the interior remained unfinished at that point, with fittings and decoration completed only in the following years. This mid-18th-century Baroque structure is the one visitors see in Liberec today, and architectural historians consider it the finest Baroque church in the city.

What role did the church play in the city's history?

The building's importance goes beyond religious life. In 1759, Liberec's first public library was established within its walls, an initiative credited to Anton Kopsch. That makes the church a reference point not only for the city's sacred architecture but also for the history of education and culture in Liberec.

What should visitors know before coming?

The church stands in the eastern part of Liberec, near other historic sites, making it easy to combine a visit with a walk through the surrounding Nové Město district. As a listed cultural monument, the building is protected by heritage conservation rules, which has preserved its Baroque character largely unchanged since the 18th-century rebuilding.

Frequently asked questions

What is the church called in Czech? Its Czech name is Kostel Nalezení svatého Kříže, meaning the Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross.

When was the current church building constructed? The present structure was built between 1753 and 1761 to a design by Johann Joseph Kunze, with construction completed in 1756.

Why was the church built on this particular spot? The site was a former plague cemetery, where victims of the 1680 epidemic were buried — the origin of the church's dedication to the Holy Cross.

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

What was the first church built here? The first building, a Baroque cemetery church, was erected between 1695 and 1698 to a design by Marco Antonio Canevalle.