Pohořko – Revitalization of the area around the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Přeštice
The main center of Přeštice is Masaryk Square. The new acropolis is designed as one of several secondary centers of the town, which will enrich it primarily with culture. The approach to space and building volumes corresponds to this premise. Smaller public spaces and smaller building volumes are proposed here. The goal is to design pleasant and representative spaces that will serve well for hosting cultural events, yet will not feel empty and deserted on a regular workday. After decades during which the character of the place was disrupted by an insensitively placed agricultural cooperative building, tranquility will return to the “acropolis” above the Úhlava River.
The design is rooted in the history of the area. The aim is to interpret historical traces and intentions, not to imitate them. Following the pattern of the now-vanished houses, the new volumes once again enclose the parish courtyard. They protect it from the bustle of the street and the square, thereby creating a sense of peace within the courtyard. However, these are not copies of the original buildings. For example, the building near Hlávkova Street is set back further, allowing the verticality of the church tower to stand out more in the street vistas. The building featuring a café and urban housing is a reminiscence of the former inn. A small pavilion by the Jakub Jan Ryba monument completes the corner in a position similar to that of the former school.
| Authors: | Pavel Hnilička, Martin Jirsa, Antonín Topinka, Terezie Mervartová, Veronika Šmejcká, Klára Hechtová |
| Cooperation: | Pavlína Malíková, Aleš Steiner - landscaping, Vojtěch Novotný - traffic solution |
| Client: | The town of Přeštice and Diocese of Pilsen |
| Project: | 2025 - competition |
The new community hall, the restored inn, and other buildings will build upon the historical footprint of the original courtyards. The space around the church will be shielded from the bustle of Hlávkova Street, and the silhouette of Pohořko will be a beautiful sight from the surrounding landscape. The modest public spaces will feel pleasant on a regular workday and will transform into a vibrant part of the town during festivals.
We base the landscaping concept on simple, clear, and sustainable principles, just like the overall urban design. We opt for less demanding interventions that respect the character of the site and allow the church itself to stand out.
The aim is to create a pleasant environment based on simple solutions, one that is legible and economically sustainable in terms of both the initial investment and long-term maintenance. Comprehensive stormwater management is, of course, a given.
We propose various types of spaces within the area that complement one another. The forecourt of the church facing Masaryk Square, the orchards below the church, and the parish courtyard are all characterized by the word "tranquility." These are spaces designed for relaxation and quiet community events.
In front of the church, you can sit and observe the street life; in the orchards, you can engage in community gardening; and in the parish courtyard, you can attend an outdoor mass or a "parish picnic." These are activities that, by contrast, you will not find in the "bustling" square on the opposite side of the community hall, or during a performance at the open-air stage.
We once again enclose the parish courtyard from the busy street. We conceive of it as a reminiscence of a historical cloister garden designed for contemporary use. In its grassy center, we introduce an axially composed gathering space made of compacted gravel, flanked on two sides by generous perennial beds. Solitary fruit trees serve as accents within the open space. The parish courtyard provides a suitable setting for church events—such as outdoor masses, parish picnics, or wedding ceremonies.
