St. Jost church in Cesky Krumlov
The St. Jost Church in the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov is a 16th century Renaissance church reconstructed in place of a 14th century Gothic chapel. It is situated between the Cesky Krumlov Castle and the Vltava River. Most Gothic details have been lost in favour of more simple Renaissance decoration. However, the church maintained its steep medieval saddle roof with massive chimneys and the Gothic round ridge vaults on the north side of the ground and second floor, as well as the original pillar pedestals in the cellars.
The church tower is 5 floors high and covered with a Renaissance 'ulb'spire and lanolin. The round arch windows complement the simplicity of the walls and the medieval roof.
The church distinguishes itself against an urban clutter of Gothic citadel houses and structures with Renaissance decoration. The street front part of the building features a facade with the protruding volumes of apses and a balcony. The tower rises from the street front, however dominated by the rich Renaissance tower of the Cesky Krumlov Castle in the background.
The reconstruction of the church was done by Peter Wok von Rosenberg according to plans by architect Domenico Benedetto Cometta of Eckthurn. The reconstruction not only changed the appearance of the church in remarkable measure, but consecrated it to the Holy Trinity. The church became protestant and sermons were given in German. In the 17th century, St. Jost was converted to a Jesuits' church.
Late 18th century, the building was sold and passed over to town ownership. New cellars were added and the ground floor level lifted. The presbytery was demolished to give way to an entrance aisle.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the church was rebuilt into a casino, with a bar and dancing hall, as well as a new-built terrace leading to the Vltava river.
In the following decades, the former church became residential accommodation, shoe shop and motorcycle shop.
Today, St. Jost houses a Marionette Museum, restaurants and shops.
