Region of Hradec Králové - Czech republic
REGION OF HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ
The Landscape of Český ráj (Bohemian Paradise) is not to be neglected part of this region.
According to the title – Bohemian Paradise - you can conclude that it is something really extraordinary. Nevertheless, for the local citizen it is something standard, normal as anywhere place in the country.
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CZ, Broumov – Dientzenhofer Churches
The fact is that the turbulent history of the 20th century and the expulsion of the German population influenced the region. There is still a lot to know about it, but there is also a lot of work done and the will to show the world that Broumov has something to offer and does not want to leave its monuments to collapse (it was pretty close but we will get to it later). This would be a great pity, for here some of the best Czech Baroque architects worked Krystof Dientzenhofer and his son Kilian Ignac.
Brevnov benedictines were gifted the Broumovsko in 1213 from Premysl Otakar I. In the beginning of the 18th century, Krystof Dientzenhofer and later his son Kilián Ignác began to work for them. In addition to the reconstruction of the monastery in Brevnov in Prague, both architects of course also worked in the Broumov region. The monastery dating back to the 14th century was remarkably rebuilt in the Baroque style, and a unique group of ten Baroque country churches, a Broumov group, was created in Broumov and its surroundings: the Church of St. Wenceslas in Broumov, the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Bozanov, All Saints in Heřmánkovice, St. Barbara Church in Otovice, Church of St. Jacob the Greater in Ruprechtice, Church of St. Marketa in Sonov, St. Anne's Church in Viznov, Church of the Virgin Mary in Hvezda, St. Michael's Church in Vernerovice and St. Prokop's Church in Bezdekov. These include the church of St. George and Martina in Martínkovice, which was built by Martin Allia before the arrival of the Dientzenhofers in the region.
Kostely nejsou žádné monumentální stavby se složitými klenbami a půdorysy, jaké od Dientzenhoferů známe odjinud (například chrám svatého Mikuláše v Praze nebo kostel svaté Máří Magdaleny v Karlových Varech). Neznalý člověk by tu ruku barokních mistrů nečekal, ale hned na první pohled je vidět, že i když kostely mají jednoduchý centrální půdorys a bohužel některým z nich chybí omítka, jde o prvotřídní architekturu.
The reason for the construction was the renovation of the already incomplete network of wooden churches, but at the same time there was a Baroque effort to fill the landscape with divine presence. Churches are well embedded in the landscape, often seen from far away, and they form a sort of hint in the landscape or lighthouse in the storm of earthly life. The Brevnov-Broumov abbot Otmar Zinke initiated the construction of churches as well as small sacral monuments in the landscape - crosses, sculptures or cross-roads. A beautiful Baroque landscape was made from Broumov.
Unfortunately, the twentieth century came and its historic twists and turns almost resulted in the building to become a mere heap of stones. The German population wa
s displaced, the newcomers to the place did not have any relationship to the area, and the communist regime did not wish for the cemeteries to be there. The churches have been dilapidated, and perhaps because they are in the remote region of Broumov, the time has come for their rescue only relatively recently. The repair is currently under way, they looking for money and filling in the applications, but unfortunately, money is needed and the budget of the Broumov parish is small. Even because of its poor condition, most churches are usually inaccessible. If you would like to visit them, every summer there is the Za Poklady Broumovska, where concerts are held in individual churches and the proceeds from the admissions are going to be repaired. It remains to be hoped that Broumov churches soon will shine in their former shine.
GPS: 50°35'12.6"N 16°19'58.6"E
Text and photos: Kateřina Holečková
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