Church of All Saints in Nové Město nad Metují

The Church of All Saints is a modest cemetery church in Nové Město nad Metují, in the Hradec Králové region of eastern Czechia. Set apart from the town's historic square, on the grounds of the municipal cemetery, it combines centuries of architectural change with a role it still holds today as a place of burial and quiet reflection.

When was the church built, and by whom?

Construction ran from 1560 to 1562, commissioned by the town's Utraquist community — followers of the Hussite tradition who took communion in both bread and wine. The builder Andrea Vlach carried out the work, funded jointly by the town and private donations. From the start, the Gothic-Renaissance structure served as a cemetery church, standing outside the town's fortified core.

Why is it dedicated to All Saints?

The church was originally consecrated to the Transfiguration of the Lord. That changed in the 17th century, after the Utraquist movement lost ground and the Catholic Church took over the building. From then on it has been known under its current dedication to All Saints, a name tied to its function as a cemetery chapel.

How did the building change over the centuries?

In 1570, an ossuary with its own tower was added alongside the church, fitted with two bells and a crypt beneath the floor. Further repairs followed in 1821, but the most significant transformation came between 1867 and 1870, when the church took on the architectural form it retains today. Since 3 May 1958, the building has been listed as a protected cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Who is buried in the surrounding cemetery?

The cemetery around the church holds the graves of close relatives of Bedřich Smetana, one of the most important Czech composers of the 19th century. That connection draws not only local visitors but also music enthusiasts tracing the composer's family history.

What is there to see inside?

A small choir loft holds a modest single-manual organ with a domed case, built in 1887 by the Prague craftsmen Josef Černý and Josef Rejný. It is an understated but authentic piece of furnishing, evidence that the church continued to serve as an active place of worship well after its 19th-century reconstruction.

How to get there, and what to combine with a visit?

The church stands within the municipal cemetery, an easy walk from the center of Nové Město nad Metují. A visit pairs naturally with the town's castle and historic square, as well as with other churches nearby, making it possible to cover the town's religious and architectural history in a single day.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Church of All Saints located? Within the municipal cemetery in Nové Město nad Metují, in the Hradec Králové region of eastern Czechia.

When was the church built? Between 1560 and 1562, commissioned by the local Utraquist community and built by Andrea Vlach.

Why did the church's dedication change? It was originally dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord; after the Catholic Church took it over in the 17th century, it became known as the Church of All Saints.

Whose graves are in the cemetery around the church? Close relatives of composer Bedřich Smetana are buried there.

Is the church a protected historic monument? Yes, it has been listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 3 May 1958.