Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Gothic Revival church in Turnov, Czech Republic
The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is a massive three-nave Gothic Revival building on Mariánské náměstí, begun in 1825 to Martin Hausknecht's design. Its most visible feature is an unfinished tower that rises above the town. The 1843 furnishings were made by architect Josef Kranner.
Construction began in 1825 to a design by Vienna architect Martin Hausknecht, who first led the works; Karl Schramm and then Bernard Grueber took over. The Aehrenthal family, new owners of the Hrubá Skála estate, had the old church demolished after repeated fires. The building was completed in 1853, and Josef Kranner made its furnishings in 1843.
The church stands on Mariánské náměstí on the site of a wooden church and Dominican monastery founded in the mid-13th century by Havel of Hrutwice and his wife, Saint Zdislava. During the Hussite wars the monastery and church burned and the monks died in the fire; between 1550 and 1620 the restored church was used by the Unity of the Brethren.
The church stands on Mariánské náměstí, its unfinished tower rising above the square. The nave is entered from the square side; the building is a protected cultural monument and an active Roman Catholic parish church, so visits fit around services listed in the Litoměřice diocese schedule.
The church's massive three-nave shell was left with an unfinished tower, which became Turnov's characteristic landmark. Construction ran from 1825 to 1853 under Martin Hausknecht, then Karl Schramm and Bernard Grueber; the 1843 furnishings were designed by architect Josef Kranner.
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