Czech religious monuments undergo major restoration

Several historical religious monuments in the Czech Republic have undergone significant restoration work.

In Svákov near Soběslav, the pilgrimage chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows is receiving a new bell following repairs to the structure caused by storm damage. While the original bell was requisitioned during World War II, a replacement bell, likely from the Church of St. Mark in Soběslav, has been renovated by bellfounder Michal Votruba and will be reinstalled during a ceremonial procession. During the renovation of the bell tower, workers discovered a time capsule containing newspapers and currency dated June 8, 1945.

In Příbor, restorers have completed a comprehensive renewal of a mid-18th-century monument featuring a statue of the Virgin Mary Assumpta. A key highlight of the project was the reconstruction of a radiant halo that had disappeared around 2006. Using historical photographs, experts created a new replica to replace the missing element. The restoration also included cleaning and repairing the column, pedestal, and surrounding metal fencing.