- Address: Betlémské nám. 255/4, 110 00 Staré Město, Czech Republic
- Phone: +420 224 248 595
- Official address: bethlehemchapel.eu
The Bethlehem Chapel in Prague is a national cultural monument. It played a big role in the religious and political life of the Czechs. For some time the chapel was a tribune, with which new bold ideas were broadcast, which became a trigger for the beginning of a long war. Tourists can learn more about its history and the key role in the most important events of the country in the museum , which is located in the chapel.
Description
The sanctuary was built in the late 14th century by the order of King Wenceslas II. At that time there was no shortage of temples, but the sermons in them were read only in Latin. The Bethlehem chapel was the first in Prague, where only Czech speech was heard. It was her preacher Jan Hus, who was elevated today to the status of Czech national hero, who chose to promote her reformist ideas. His speeches were able to push people to the beginning of the war, which lasted 14 years. Because of this, the Bethlehem Chapel is inextricably linked with the name of the preacher.
In 1622 the chapel became the property of the Jesuits. They did not support it in due condition, so in the middle of the 18th century the building was dilapidated, and in 1786 only two sheds left it. After 50 years they were replaced by a three-story house. But the memory of the hero Gus and the chapel itself was sacred to the Czechs, so in the middle of last century the temple was decided to be restored.
Architecture
The original view of the Bethlehem chapel was not typical of the temples of the time. The asymmetrical entrances indicate that the creation of the project and the construction itself took place in a hurry. The most amazing element in the architecture of the sanctuary was rectangular windows, which until then had never been seen. These were not all the windows, most of them still retained the traditional shape - lancet. Looking at the photo of the Bethlehem chapel in Prague, you can notice that the modern building has two types of apertures. Contrary to modern traditions, the architects decided to keep this detail.
The temple was famous for the abundance of frescoes that were made here on the orders of Jan Hus. Texts and drawings were put on all the walls, mostly they were quotations of the teachings of Hus himself and illustrations to them. One of the walls was dedicated to the battles of the Hussite army with the Crusaders and depicted an army with a flag.
Restored in the last century, the temple as accurately repeats the architecture of the original. For this, a study was conducted that not only could give a clear picture of the appearance of the chapel, but also opened an interesting fact for the researchers - the three walls of the chapel were preserved. They were common with the adjoining houses, which still exist. During the restoration of the master discovered on the walls of the surviving frescoes. Today they are a kind of bridge between the past and the present and in the first place are shown to tourists.
What is interesting about the chapel?
The Bethlehem Chapel in Prague is a unique object from the point of view of history and architecture. She really has something to surprise her guests. The main sights of the chapel:
- Well. The territory on which the chapel was built belonged to one of the local merchants. He gave his garden for the construction of the temple. The well was decided not to fall asleep, but to leave, so that the parishioners could drink from it. Since the chapel occupied the entire territory, the well was inside the building, and today it is still there. He was not able to destroy multiple perestroika, but you can not drink from it now.
- The museum. His exposition is dedicated to the Reformation, the preacher and the very building of the temple. It is interesting that concerts and various exhibitions are held in the premises of the museum.
- Frescos. The walls of the chapel are still decorated with frescoes. Some of them are original, Czech masters were able to restore them, and others are reconstructed from historical documents. Frescoes are still devoted to the same theme - Huss and his army.
How to get there?
The nearest public transport stop is 300 meters from the chapel - this is the Charles spa. Trams Nos. 2, 11, 14, 17, 18 and 93 go through it. After leaving the transport, it will be necessary to go to the first intersection, and then turn to Betlemska and walk 250 m along it. This road leads to the chapel.