The House of Sorbs

"God's in Praise and Sorbs in Use" read an inscription on the facade of the old House of Sorbs in Budyšin, situated on Lawska Street. The house was built through the initiative of Jan Arnost Smoler.

The foundation stone was laid in 1897 on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of "Maćica Serbska". Sorbian activists canvassed for the funds to build the house throughout the country and abroad. In 1904 the house was blessed and officially opened. With its book store, library, printing house, hall, cafe and reading room, as well as other facilities, the House of Sorbs served as the centre of Sorbian cultural life.

In 1937 The House of Sorbs was confiscated by the Nazis and in 1945 burnt down by SS units. After the war Sorbian youth brigades cleared a property on which stood the ruins of the former Lessing school, also destroyed during the war. On this property, a new House of Sorbs was built. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of "Maćica Serbska" and the 2nd Congress of Sorbs, July 8th, 1956, the new House of Sorbs was officially opened.

In the foyer a painted, stained glass window created by Měrćin Nowak-Njechorński welcomes visitors with its symbol of Domowina and scenes of Sorbian customs and culture.

Every year many guests from Germany as well as abroad visit the House of Sorbs, gaining knowledge of the activities of Domowina and Foundation for the Sorbian Nation.