Crematorium in Olomouc, Crematorium in Neředín, Olomouc, Czech Republic

The Olomouc crematorium in Neředín is a rectangular ceremonial hall of reinforced concrete with infill masonry, its vertical pillars and window bands set against the horizontal columbarium annexes, later replaced by a light colonnade. The whole building was re-clad in blue-grey ceramic tiles during reconstruction. Inside, light blue walls contrast with a dark blue ceiling, black concrete frames and a glass frontal window with a phoenix designed by Josef Kaplický.

A local branch of the Krematorium association formed in Olomouc in 1920, and two years later the city tried to convert a municipal chapel, with Pavel Janák considered for the design; parish authorities blocked it. Approval came only in 1927, when the city bought land by the Neředín cemetery and held a competition, won by Alois Šajtar ahead of Jan Gillar and Janák. Built 1931–1932 by Jan Hublík, with technical equipment from Julius Schmalz and a loan from the association.

The local branch of the Krematorium association was founded in Olomouc in 1920, and the association helped finance the building with a loan. The front stained-glass window shows a phoenix, designed by Josef Kaplický, a motif of rebirth placed above the ceremony hall.

The crematorium stands on the central cemetery in Neředín, together with the cemetery and other structures protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. The ceremonial hall is entered past the light columned walkway that replaced the original columbarium. Look for the blue-grey ceramic tiles that were re-laid on the whole building during its reconstruction.

The glazed ceramic cladding on the exterior was renewed during a later reconstruction, and the interior holds a stained-glass window with a phoenix designed by Josef Kaplický. The original columbarium was replaced by a light columned walkway.