The repaired Church of St. James in Kutná Hora will have a new cross

Kutná Hora - The Church of St. James in Kutná Hora, which is undergoing extensive reconstruction, will be adorned with a new cross. It is expected to be installed in the week of December 14. The nearly four-meter cross was made by Martin Janda and Jan Renza according to the design of architect Norbert Schmidt; it was blessed during mass on November 22. It will be placed on the northern tower, which is more than eighty meters high, as communicated by Kateřina Grenarová from the parish to ČTK.
According to the architect, the new cross is to be "an instrument of light, a simple, clear pinnacle of the tower that extends it into infinity, into the sky." It was made of mirrored steel and gold and is meant to respond to the shape of the surrounding sky, reflecting clouds and sunlight, and changing its appearance depending on the celestial scenery.
The church, which is a prominent landmark of the city, is being repaired this year. The work, costing more than 36 million crowns, is expected to be completed by March next year. The northern tower has been in a state of emergency for several years and needs restoration, including the western façade.
The reconstruction includes the restoration of the tower masonry, stone elements on the cornices, window tracery, and western portal. Windows, doors, stained glass windows, as well as the mechanism and clock faces are also to be repaired, and the affected timbers of the tower must be replaced.
The Archdeaconry Church of St. James the Greater is the oldest of the churches in Kutná Hora. Construction began after 1330, using Mezholez sandstone quarried beneath Mount Vysoká. The building was essentially completed before 1420.