Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Varnsdorf, Baroque church in Varnsdorf, Czech Republic.
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is a Baroque structure in the town center featuring curved walls, stucco ornamentation, and a distinctive bell tower. The interior displays typical elements of Bohemian Baroque churches with altars, frescoes, and vaulted ceilings.
A church existed here by 1352, possibly from the late 13th century. After lightning damaged the old tower in 1740, the foundation stone of the new church was laid on 26 June 1766; Rumburk builder J. Eiselt began it, Děčín builder J. V. Kosch finished it in 1776, and the tower followed in 1777. A fire in 1829 destroyed roof, tower and bells; repairs were done by 1832.
The church is a deanery church, raised to that rank in 1894, and its clock dates from that year. A plaque over the side entrance recalls the 1830 performance of Beethoven's Missa solemnis here. The five bells arrived from Mering, Bavaria, in 1969 as a gift to the town.
The church sits in a central location in town and is easily reached on foot. Visitors should know that religious services occur at specific times and respectful behavior inside the building is expected.
The side portal bears a plaque commemorating the 1830 performance of Beethoven's Missa solemnis, given after townspeople restored the fire-damaged church. The five bells arrived in 1969 as a gift from the brothers Alfred and Erich Ludwig of Mering, Bavaria, and were consecrated by Bishop Štěpán Trochta.
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