The New Hall of the Brethren Church by architect Zdeněk Fránek completed at the end of 2010 is decorated with an exterior crucifix of glued glass by Václav Cigler; author of the interior decoration is Karel Malich.
During Smetana's Litomyšl guided tours will be available.
Organized by the Brethren Church congregation in Litomyšl
New church of the Brethren Church, Moravská 1222, Litomyšl
Guided tours:
Saturdays 11.6., 18.6., 25.6. and 2.7. from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Sundays 12.6., 26.6. and 3.7. from 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Roof as a Journey
You will hardly pass the new church unnoticed when visiting the town of Litomyšl because it has been situated right next to the main road to Svitavy and on to Olomouc. It is a busy and difficult to cross artery and this is why the church springs up there rather unexpectedly, almost like an apparition. The architect partially sunk it in the sloping terrain from where projects a streamlined frontage and so it seems that it grows from the ground quite naturally.
The roof gradually ascending in three continuing levels symbolizing the journey of man to higher knowledge, his journey to God, became the central motif. It literally entices you to try it for yourself. The architect says that the idea of this pure line came to him as soon as he saw the place where the new church was to be erected. He cut a piece of paper into several strips like origami, the Japanese paper folding art, and the model was finished even before he began sketching. In the following three years he did not need to lower his initial idea in principle, as it proved to had been very inspired.
"This commission was a very joyful and liberal one for me", Zdeněk Fránek answers the question about his co-operation with evangelist Daniel Smetana without whose incredibly hard work the new church in Litomyšl would have remained only on paper. The overall pleasant result was achieved also thanks to the chance to co-operate with outstanding Czech artists Karel Malich and Václav Cigler who created a total of four works for the church. They are both aged over eighty but they rank among the few Czech artists who succeed even in international competition. Karel Malich is the author of Lord's Table, the pulpit and the altar sculpture; Václav Cigler created the crucifix of layered optical glass in which culminates the extended roof over the main church entrance. The initiator and donor of these beautiful pieces is Prague gallery owner Zdeněk Sklenář who likes bringing art and architecture together.
New church of the Brethren Church
Ehibitions 2011 More from Zdeňek Fránek More from Karel Malich More from Václav Cigler