Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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adult/concession 160/80Kč
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10am-7pm
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17, 18
Southwestern Staré Město
CHUR
CHURCCH
BETHLEHEM CHAPEL
(Betlémská kaple; 224 248 595; Betlémské náměstí 3; adult/child 60/30Kč;
10am-6.30pm Tue-Sun Apr-Oct, to 5.30pm Nov-Mar; 6, 9, 18, 21, 22)
The Bethlehem
Chapel is one of Prague's most important churches, being the true birthplace of the
Hussite cause. In 1391, Reformist Praguers won permission to build a church where
services could be held in Czech instead of Latin, and proceeded to construct the
biggest chapel Bohemia had ever seen, able to hold 3000 worshippers.
Jan Hus preached here from 1402 to 1412, marking the emergence of the Reform
movement from the sanctuary of the Karolinum (where he was rector). It's now a na-
tional cultural monument. In the 18th century the chapel was torn down. Remnants
were discovered around 1920, and from 1948 to 1954 - because Hussitism had offi-
cial blessing as an ancient form of communism - the whole thing was painstakingly
reconstructed in its original form, based on old drawings, descriptions, and traces of
the original work. Architecturally it was a radical departure, with a simple square hall
focused on the pulpit rather than the altar.
Only the southern wall of the chapel is brand new. You can still see some original
parts in the eastern wall: the pulpit door, several windows and the door to the preach-
er's quarters. These quarters, including the rooms used by Hus and others, are also
original; they are now used for exhibits. The wall paintings are modern, and are based
on old Hussite tracts. The indoor well pre-dates the chapel.
The chapel has an English text available at the door. Every year on the night of 5
July, the eve of Hus' burning at the stake in 1415, a commemorative celebration is
held here, with speeches and bell-ringing.
