Year of creation

2026

About project

The Story of the Chapel of the Angels of the Lord in Svojše

When Richard Brož, the creator of the WeLoveŠumava project, acquired the nearly century-old chapel in Svojše in 2025 and began planning its restoration, it was clear that a challenging and costly journey lay ahead. At the same time, many people reached out, wishing to contribute in some way.

He therefore decided to draw upon the region’s history—centuries-old and deeply connected to glassmaking—and offer a select group of people the opportunity not only to help restore the chapel but also to leave their own mark on it.

Through this collaborative effort, six unique vase-objects were created. Each one conceals a glass sphere made from historic glass sourced in nearby Rejštejn. Accompanying each vase is a second sphere made of the same glass; on September 26, 2026—the day the Chapel of the Angels of the Lord was consecrated—this sphere was placed inside the cross on the chapel’s gable, where it will remain forever as part of the restored structure.

Furthermore, each of the six vases bears the signature of the chapel’s patron, famoous Czech director and actor Jiří Strach.

Thus, one part of the story remains in the patrons’ homes, while the other stays forever in Svojše.

All the vases have already found new owners.

In this way, six patrons have become part of the story of the Chapel of the Angels of the Lord and the story of its restoration.

Thank you for helping to breathe new life into places that might otherwise disappear—We Love Šumava.

Parameters

• crystal glass, mouth-blown,  hand-cut and sandblasted, glass sphere with a story

Photos by Anna Pleslova.