Chapel of St. Martin in Český Krumlov

The Chapel of St. Martin is a modest Baroque chapel standing in the town park of Český Krumlov, on the opposite bank of the Vltava from the historic square. Rarely open to visitors today, its history reaches back to the late 16th century and is tied to one of the worst epidemics the town ever faced.

Why was the chapel built here in the first place?

The chapel owes its existence to necessity. In 1585, plague struck the town, and the existing cemetery by St. Vitus Church could no longer serve its purpose. A new graveyard was laid out across the river, next to the Jesuit garden, and a wooden cemetery chapel dedicated to St. Martin went up alongside it.

Why did it take more than a century to build in stone?

Plans for a stone chapel already existed by 1618, but the prepared building materials ended up reinforcing the castle instead, after the outbreak of the Estates Revolt that opened the Thirty Years' War. The project was only picked up again in the 18th century, when construction of the stone chapel began in 1717.

What does the building look like, and what is inside?

The chapel is a single-nave, oblong structure with a three-sided presbytery and an axial sacristy to the east. Its three-bay west façade has chamfered corners and a tabular gable decorated with volutes, while the interior is covered by a flat ceiling with two stucco mirrors. The main altar dates from 1763 and was made by the Krumlov sculptor Josef Muck together with painters Josef Putz and Christoph Anneis. The altar of St. Martin is attributed to Bedřich Kamarýt, a painter and clergyman from Velešín who lived from 1831 to 1911, and the Rococo pulpit is the work of the painter and carver Anton Leyer. Side altars are dedicated to St. John Nepomuk and St. Anne. Beside the Jesuit garden, a shelter for the sick once operated under the care of the Jesuits.

What happened to the cemetery around the chapel?

The graveyard surrounding the chapel remained in use until 1892, when it was closed. In 1908, the grounds were merged with the former Jesuit garden to create today's town park. Nine 18th-century granite gravestones still line the approach to the chapel — the last visible trace of the old burial ground.

Who uses the chapel today?

Since 1969, the chapel has served as the seat of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church. Its interior is normally closed to the public, and visits are possible only by prior arrangement. It occasionally hosts spiritual music concerts and wedding ceremonies.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Chapel of St. Martin located? In the town park of Český Krumlov, on the side of the Vltava opposite the historic square, on the site of a former cemetery next to the Jesuit garden.

When was the chapel built? The original wooden cemetery chapel dates from 1585; the current stone chapel was begun in 1717.

Who made the main altar? The 1763 altar was created by the sculptor Josef Muck together with painters Josef Putz and Christoph Anneis.

Can visitors go inside the chapel? The interior is generally closed to the public; visits are only possible by prior arrangement.

Who owns the chapel today? Since 1969 it has been the seat of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church.