Description
The project intends to complete reconstruction of the Pilgrim Church of Virgin Mary in Chlumek - Luže, which started under the previous phase of the EEA and Norway Grants and save this national cultural heritage for future generations. The church built in 17th century is a large single-nave building with side vestries and galleries, with basilica illumination, the front facing double tower and three-sided (rounded interior) closed presbytery. The original temple is surviving in the form of a rounded chapel at the end of the nave, with cupola and lantern. The church is surrounded by rectangular terraced ambit with four corner side chapels and two monumental stairways each having 63 steps. Located in the center of the village, the church represents a local dominant and can be seen from far distance. The objective of the project is to continue in the renovation of the interior of the church and sustain the results of the previous project. Current state of the interior requires rapid resumption of the rest of the wooden furniture, since it possesses a threat for the regressive infestation of the furniture by woodworms coming from the yet untreated parts of interior. Truly, some parts of the non-renovated wooden interior are in the state of emergency. The furniture is corrupted under its surface by the wormholes which can cause abruptions of the furniture even in by a light impulse. The renovation will thus focus on church pews, confession booths, furniture in the sacristy designated for priest and ministrants and seven paintings. Moreover, six altars, group of statues, stone block pavement, circular stairs, doors inside the church and windows with shutters will be restored and renovated. Results of this project will be mostly beneficial for the visitors of the church and for local inhabitants thanks to the expected increase of cultural tourism.
Summary of project results
The EEA Grants helped bringing back to life interior of the pilgrimage church of the Virgin Mary at Chlumek in Luže. Non-renovated wooden furnishings were in poor condition and required restoration, so that they could serve its intended purpose. Key elements of the interior were restored, like side altars, confessionals, bottom parts of the pulpit, the Statuary of Calvary, tiling around the St. Mary’s Chapel, benches, cabinet furniture inside sacristies including paintings, internal and external doors etc. The lessons learnt from the previous project supported by the EEA Grants were valuable in the development of the current project. The promoter enhanced the artistic character of the project. The restoration attempted to upgrade the church with a strong understanding of the history of the interior. On the top of that, thanks to the savings achieved, reconstruction of the part of the church itself could also be performed and thus front church facade restored. After the restoration many cultural and religious events will be organised at Luže as before.
Summary of bilateral results