Church of Fourteen Holy Helpers (Abertamy)

The Church of the Fourteen Holy Helpers stands in Abertamy, a small mining town in the Czech Ore Mountains (Krušné hory), not far from Karlovy Vary. It is one of the oldest buildings in town and still dominates its skyline, its bell tower visible from a distance thanks to a distinctive pyramidal roof topped with a gilded ball and cross.

Why was a church built in a mining settlement?

Abertamy grew up as a mining settlement in the shadow of nearby Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), which experienced a dramatic silver-mining boom in the 16th century. It was the authorities of Jáchymov who financed the construction of the church in 1534, setting aside part of the mining revenues for the project and supplying building materials. The church was meant to serve the growing community of miners settling in the newly founded village.

How has the building's appearance changed over time?

The church was originally built in the early Renaissance style typical of the region during its silver-mining heyday. Between 1735 and 1738 it underwent a Baroque reconstruction, which gave it the more decorative character it retains today. The façade is dominated by a prismatic bell tower with a pyramidal roof, while the exterior walls feature smooth stonework with plain window frames and illusory bossage imitating deeper rustic stonework.

What does the interior hold?

Inside, visitors find a rare wooden coffered ceiling dating from the 19th century, an element that sets this church apart from others in the region. The furnishings form a uniform Classicist ensemble from the late 18th century. On both sides of the presbytery stand side altars with valuable Late Gothic sculptures, the oldest surviving artistic elements of the interior, which survived the later reconstructions.

What happened to the church after 1945?

After 1945 the church stopped receiving regular upkeep, and its condition gradually deteriorated. Things changed only in the 1990s, when former German residents of Abertamy initiated a major restoration carried out between 1993 and 1996, with further repair work continuing in 2003. Thanks to this effort, the church has survived to the present day in a condition that allows it to be visited.

Frequently asked questions

When was the church in Abertamy built? The church was built in 1534 on the initiative and with the funds of the town of Jáchymov, during a period of intense silver-mining growth in the region.

What architectural style is the building? It was originally early Renaissance, then rebuilt in Baroque style between 1735 and 1738 — an appearance still visible today, especially in the tower and façade.

What is worth seeing inside? The most valuable features are the 19th-century wooden coffered ceiling, the late 18th-century Classicist furnishings, and the Late Gothic sculptures on the side altars flanking the presbytery.

Was the church ever neglected? Yes — after 1945 it fell into disrepair due to lack of regular maintenance. It was restored through the initiative of former German residents of Abertamy, in works carried out between 1993 and 1996 and again in 2003.

Where exactly is the church located? The church stands in the center of Abertamy, a town in the Czech Ore Mountains (Krušné hory), near Jáchymov and Karlovy Vary.