Church of Saint Clare, Cheb

The Church of Saint Clare in Cheb is a Baroque building that today functions as a concert and exhibition hall — one of the more striking examples in this part of the Czech Republic of a sacred building repurposed for cultural life.

Who built this church and why?

The church was designed by Christoph Dientzenhofer, one of the leading architects of Bohemian Baroque, known for numerous churches across Prague and western Bohemia. It was consecrated in 1712 as part of a convent of the Poor Clares, the female religious order founded by Saint Clare of Assisi, whose name the church still carries. The convent complex was built in the center of Cheb and for decades served as a home for prayer and community life for the nuns.

What happened to the building after the convent closed?

The church's history after the dissolution of the order was anything but sacred. Over time the building was put to some unusual uses: it served as an ice storage facility for a local brewery, as a prison, and later as the seat of the Cheb city archives. It was only in 1923 that the church and convent complex passed into the ownership of the city, opening the way for its next transformation.

Why is it a concert hall today?

Once the city took over the property, the former church was gradually adapted into a cultural venue. Today its interior hosts classical music concerts and other artistic events, and the space also doubles as an exhibition hall. The tall Baroque interior, with the structural lightness typical of Dientzenhofer's work, turns out to have excellent acoustics, making it one of the more interesting cultural stages in the region.

What is there to see?

Visitors are drawn mainly to the building itself — its Baroque façade and interior have survived despite the many changes of function the structure went through over the centuries. It's a rare chance to see how a former monastic church can find a second life as a cultural venue instead of falling into ruin. It's worth checking Cheb's local event calendar — if a concert or exhibition happens to be on, that's the best opportunity to see the interior actually in use.

How do you get to the Church of Saint Clare?

The church stands in the historic center of Cheb, close to the town's other landmarks, so the easiest way to reach it is on foot while exploring the old town. Its coordinates are 50.0777522, 12.3686197 — useful to plug into navigation if arriving by car or planning a walking route linking several sights in the city.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the building now works as a concert and exhibition hall rather than a parish church with regular services, it's worth checking Cheb's cultural events schedule before visiting. Timing a trip around a concert or exhibition lets you experience the interior in full use — outside of such events, access may be limited.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Church of Saint Clare in Cheb still hold religious services? No — since 1923 the building has belonged to the city and today functions as a concert and exhibition hall rather than an active parish church.

Who designed the church? It was designed by Christoph Dientzenhofer, one of the most important architects of Bohemian Baroque.

What was the building used for before it became a concert hall? It had several non-religious, non-cultural uses over the years, including serving as ice storage for a brewery, as a prison, and as the seat of the Cheb city archives.

Can you visit the church without attending a concert? Access depends on the current events schedule, so it's best to check with local tourist information before visiting to confirm whether an event open to visitors is taking place that day.