Church of Saint Catherine

Church of Saint Catherine rises on the main square of Chomutov, right beside the town hall, and ranks among the oldest surviving Early Gothic churches anywhere in Europe.

Where did the church come from?

A place of worship stood on this spot even before 1252, the year Frederick of Chomutov handed the town over to the Teutonic Order. The knights turned the existing residence into a commandery and rebuilt the original, smaller rectangular chancel into the larger, five-sided-ended choir that still defines the building today; construction wrapped up in 1281. That distinctive choir end is what marks the arrival of Gothic architecture in the Czech lands, and it is why the church counts among the oldest Early Gothic sacred buildings in Europe.

What has the building lived through?

The church's history has not been an easy one. A town fire damaged it in 1408, and in 1421, during the Hussite Wars, troops led by Jan Žižka captured and plundered Chomutov — the town's largely German population had resisted the Hussite demand to receive communion in both kinds, which made it a target for the campaign. By the late 15th century the church had become the private chapel of the Veitmil family, who converted the former commandery into a noble residence.

The real turning point came in 1773, when the Jesuit order was dissolved and the church was closed and deconsecrated. It was sold at public auction in 1790, its interior furnishings gradually sold off, destroyed or carried away, and for decades afterward the building served purely practical purposes — as a warehouse, a granary and a coach house.

What can you see today?

The church reopened to the public in November 2000, after more than two centuries out of use. It is now part of the exhibition circuit of the Regional Museum in Chomutov, and its interior regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and concerts. The building's shape, especially the five-sided end of the chancel, remains one of the clearest surviving examples of Early Gothic architecture on Czech territory.

How do you get there, and when should you visit?

The church stands on Náměstí 1. máje, Chomutov's main square, directly next to the town hall — together the two buildings form a single legally protected heritage site, making them the easiest landmark to find in the town center. It is roughly a fifteen-minute walk from the train station to the square. Before visiting, it's worth checking the museum's current schedule of exhibitions and concerts, since access to the interior follows museum opening hours rather than regular church service times.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Church of Saint Catherine in Chomutov? A church has stood on this site since before 1252, and the present building with its distinctive choir was completed in 1281 — making it one of Europe's oldest Early Gothic churches.

Is it still an active church today? No. It was closed and deconsecrated in 1773 and now functions as a museum venue for exhibitions and concerts rather than an active parish.

Where exactly is it located? On Náměstí 1. máje in the center of Chomutov, directly next to the town hall building, with which it forms a single heritage site.

Can visitors go inside? Yes — the church has been open to the public again since November 2000, as part of the Regional Museum in Chomutov's offerings.