If you happen to find yourself at the Brno housing estate Lesná in the close future, you won't be able to miss the rainbow-colored building on a circular ground plan dominated by a triangular tower with a view that overlooks the surrounding blocks of flats. What kind of building are we talking about? If your guess were an entertainment-shopping center or a restaurant, you would be making a huge mistake. It is actually a church, financed by the believers themselves. It will open its door in spring next year. Thanks to generous donations, the parish has been able to spend almost one hundred million crowns on its construction as of now, but the fund-raiser continues, mainly because the cost of interior furnishings still needs to be covered. Local believers have been striving to build the church since the late 1960s.
The façade of the church is decorated with artistic symbols depicting faith, Christianity or various forms and phases of life. Among other things, you'll be able to spot a scooter or a beer there. That was the favorite beverage of Marie Restituta, who the church is dedicated to. On the tower you can notice the Greek inscription "Fos and Zoé", which translates as "life and light", forming a cross. It is a motif from a small lead cross from the ninth century, found during excavation works in close proximity of the foundations of the church in Sady near Uherské Hradiště.
Open in gallery (5)
Pohled na kostel z ptačí perspektivySource: atelier-stepan.cz
Open in gallery (5)
Kostel je postaven do tvaru kruhu, který znázorňuje plnost. Source: atelier-stepan.cz
The church vault is a particularly wonderful sight to behold - the intensity and angle of sun rays can make it change color. At the request of the locals, the church is environmentally friendly and will consume as little energy as possible. Heating will be provided by the means of an air-source heat pump, but solar collectors that should be located on the roof of the church are also in consideration.
Prodej slunného bytu 3+kk, Praha 2 - 104, Praha 2
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Pohled z věže kostela bude opravdu nádherný. Source: atelier-stepan.cz
Open in gallery (5)
Noční pohled na kostel. Source: atelier-stepan.cz
Taking the neighborhood into consideration, architect Marek Štepán chose exposed concrete as a building material in combination with distinctive color glazing. Construction works on the church began two years ago; the workers are currently concentrating mainly on wiring and floors. A public fund-raiser has been organized for the interior furnishings of the church, with stone benches being the most likely choice of seating. Greenery will also be planted around the church.
Open in gallery (5)
Interiér bude jednoduchý a světlý. Source: atelier-stepan.cz
Church of the Brno martyr
The church is dedicated to the blessed Marie Restituta, who was of Moravian origin. She worked as a nurse, earning her nickname "Sister Resoluta" from the hospital environment. The pious and brilliant nurse came into conflict with the Nazis several times and in 1942 she was accused of spreading anti-Nazi materials. A year later she was executed by guillotine.
