Church of the Nine Ghosts

Eerie Hooded Phantoms Haunt the Abandoned ‘Church of the Nine Ghosts’
Urban Ghosts has featured a wide selection of abandoned churches, but one that we haven’t covered until now – and is among the most spooky and unique around – is the so-called ‘Church of the Nine Ghosts’ in the Czech Republic. ‘Haunted’ by eerie white-robed figures seated in dusty pews, there’s little doubt about where the forgotten church got its name. But what’s the story behind it?
The spooky phantoms are actually part of an art installation created in a bid to save the medieval structure from complete decay. The building, real name St George’s, has been disused since 1968 when part of the roof collapsed during a funeral service.
Attributing the structural failure to a curse, the superstitious congregation in the Czech village of Lukova abandoned their small church to the elements. For decades the ornate wood and plaster-work interior of St George’s has steadily deteriorated.

But local artist Jakub Hadrava took it upon himself to protect the ailing building. His concept – nine hooded phantoms created from plaster and brought to ‘life’ by eerie lighting – has proved a big hit, drawing tourists from all over the world whose donations have helped keep the Church of the Nine Ghosts open.
Since the artwork was installed, the ghosts have been joined by more of the mysterious robed figures, who not only occupy the pews, their heads bowed in contemplation, but also stand by the back door as if advancing down the aisle – or dancing.[sc:BR]
Artist creates spooky ‘ghosts’ that line the pews inside dilapidated village church… turning it into global tourist attraction
St George’s church in the Czech Republic fell into disrepair in 1960s. Artist Jakub Hadrava commissioned to create artwork to help attract visitors. He designed a collection of ‘ghosts’ that line pews and aisles of the church. Tourists now flock from Germany, Australia and Brazil to see the artwork.
When Czech artist Jakub Hadrava was asked to help transform a dilapidated village church, he knew he would have his work cut out. Thankfully he came up with a frightfully good idea. Mr Hadrava has helped secure the future of the 14th century St George’s church in Lukova after creating a spooky art installation that features a collection of hooded ‘ghosts’ that line the pews and aisles. Czech artist Jakub Hadrava was commissioned to create artwork that would attract visitors to St George’s church in Lukova. Since his work was added to the medieval building over the summer, the church has seen a huge influx of tourists from counties as far away as Brazil, Australia and Germany. The thousands of visitors who have turned up have now left behind enough money to get much needed repair work done to the church. The church, which is in the north-western Bohemia region of the Czech Republic, had initially fallen into disrepair in 1968 after the roof collapsed during a funeral service. The ghosts are made out of plaster and fill the pews and the aisle of the church which was built in 1352. Hadrava said the figures represent the ghosts of Sudeten Germans who lived in Lukova before World War Two and who came to pray at this church every Sunday. Convinced that this was an omen, locals in the area abandoned it, preferring to carry out sermons and masses outside. But after four decades local artist Mr Hadrava was brought in to attract visitors and investment. Renovation work has now started and local council officials are confident the church’s future is now secure. Jakub said: I wanted to make the church more attractive for visitors and try to raise some money for renovation work. The 14th century St George’s church in the village of Lukova in north-western Bohemia in the Czech Republic had fallen into disrepair after the roof collapsed during a funeral service in 1968. The figures represent the ghosts of Sudeten Germans who lived in Lukova before World War Two and who came to pray at this church every Sunday. I hope to show the world that this place had a past and it was a normal part of everyday life, but that fate has a huge influence on our lives. The ghosts are made out of plaster and fill the pews and the aisle of the church, which was built in 1352. Convinced the church was cursed, locals abandoned it preferring to carry out sermons and masses outside. Hadrava’s instalation is now drawing in crowds from all over the world, raising funds for the church’s repair. The church manager said the attraction was proving popular with visitors from Germany and the UK. Voluntary church manager Petr Koukl, 59, said: ‘Foreigners are particularly interested in the church and there have been many visitors from Germany, the UK, Australia and even Brazil. It is a beautiful building with original pillars from the 14th century. Unfortunately, many things have over the years being stolen. But the money we make from visitors is allowing us to eventually restore the church to what it once was. Local Radomir Sedlacek, 59, said: ‘It’s certainly hair-raising, let’s hope it will continue to be cash-raising too. Via: urbanghostsmedia, dailymail