Radebeul - Friedenskirche

The Friedenskirche is a beautifully restored church that has a history that dates back to 1273. At that time there is a record of a church in the village of Kötzschenbroda, the village that grew to be part of Radebeul today.

In 1429 the village and the church were destroyed by the Hussites, who were fighting for their religious freedom. Their spiritual leader, Jan Hus, had been burnt at the stake on July 6, 1415 for his religious beliefs. Jan Jus is considered one of the early leaders of the Protestant Reformation, and the anniversary of his death is a national holiday in the Czech Republic.

In 1475 the people of the village appealed to have their sins forgiven (this required the payment of a considerable amount of money) and requested that their Church be reconstructed. The church was rebuilt from 1477 to 1510.

Duke George the Bearded dies in 1539, after which the church becomes Protestant. The church and village are badly damaged by a fire in 1598. It takes 29 years to complete the reconstruction. Sadly, just 10 years later the village and church are destroyed during the Thirty Years War, leaving just 3 houses.

The village began rebuilding immediately, with the generous help of the Elector Johann Georg I. His painting hangs on the back wall.

And so it goes. Times of destruction followed by times of construction. Death followed by birth. The views of the Elbe and city from the top of the steeple were magnificent. And it did not cost any thing to journey to the top. On leaving the church I left a generous donation. I want to be part of the rebirth that continues to this day.

On the stained glass windows are written some of the words of Mathew from his sermon on the mount.
'Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled'