The Church has initiated the restoration of the national cultural monument, the Baroque church in Přeštice

photo: markyz63, turistika.cz

Přeštice – A new facade, repair of the access stairs, drainage, replacement of electrical installations, and restoration work are included in the major reconstruction of the valuable Baroque church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Přeštice, which was initiated today by the Plzeň Diocese. The two-year reconstruction of the national cultural monument will cost approximately 80 million crowns, 95 percent of which will be covered by EU subsidies, Bishop Tomáš Holub told ČTK today.

"It is really exceptional due to its location and dominance in the region. There are not many churches that so prominently dominate a fairly large area and welcome from afar. The dominance of the Přeštice church is truly extraordinary," said architect Jan Soukup, who participated in the reconstruction project.

The Baroque church was built between 1750 and 1775 according to the design and partly under the supervision of the leading Baroque builder Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. Due to its position on a hill on the southern edge of the seven-thousand-strong Přeštice, it is a visible landmark and symbol of the surrounding area from afar. The last major reconstruction took place from 1992 to 1995. At that time, among other things, the facade was revitalized with red elements, and two church towers were raised by 18 meters in the spirit of the original, never realized plans, which now measure 52 meters to the top of the cross. Due to moisture, however, the interior plaster and facade are once again damaged.

"Primarily, we must start with drying out the building. It somewhat surprises us, since we are on a hill, but evidently springs are getting in from the higher side. This relates to the facade, interior painting, restoring the floor, which is worn and bent, all electrical installations and lighting will be redone. A beautiful part will be the restoration of the furnishings, late Baroque paintings, and sculptures," described Soukup. The main altar features a painting of the Virgin Mary of Sorrows, which has been recognized by the church as miraculous and to which once hundreds of thousands of pilgrims traveled.

The church in Přeštice is the last of the churches that the diocese will repair with the help of the EU. In the summer, a reconstruction of more than one hundred million crowns of St. Bartolomew's Cathedral in Plzeň was completed, and also a repair of more than one hundred million crowns of the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and St. Ignatius in Klatovy. The repairs of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Plasy for 70 million crowns are also at the final stages. "At the last minute, it was managed that this church in Přeštice got the opportunity to be repaired with EU funds," Holub said. He hopes that, as with previous churches, the Plzeň Region will also contribute to this reconstruction. The city of Přeštice will contribute two million crowns, said Mayor Karel Naxera.

Church tours have so far been organized by the neighboring Museum of the History of Přeštice upon prior arrangement. "There is enormous interest in visiting the church. Interestingly, however, people often confuse the church with a castle. This is probably due to its colors, which are similar to those found on Baroque castles. Its enormous size and height are magnets that attract people. When they stop in Přeštice, they always go to the church," said Drahomíra Valentová from the museum.