Church of Saint Gall

The Church of Saint Gall (Czech: kostel svatého Havla) is a Renaissance-Baroque church in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, built in the mid-16th century as part of a new municipal cemetery. Today it stands as one of the town's most distinctive landmarks, tying together the history of the Bohemian Reformation with the turbulent fate of the region's sacred architecture.

How to get there?

The church sits a short walk from the town's main square, Náměstí Míru, making it an easy stop for anyone exploring Mladá Boleslav on foot. The town lies in the Pojizeří region of northeastern Bohemia and has good road and rail connections to Prague, less than an hour away. The church borders a small park where cultural events tied to its history take place every year.

What will you see?

Construction of the church dates to 1553–1559. It was built to serve a new cemetery, established because the town's earlier burial ground at St. John's Church had become completely overcrowded following a wave of deaths from an epidemic. The new cemetery grounds were laid out as early as 1539, with the church built as an integral part of the complex.

The design is generally attributed to the Italian architect Matteo Borgorelli, who is also credited with several other important buildings in Mladá Boleslav, including the town hall and the assembly hall of the Unity of the Brethren, as well as the Renaissance conversion of the local castle into a residence. The church served as a burial place for the Krajíř of Krajek family, nobility connected to the Unity of the Brethren, a community rooted in the Bohemian Reformation.

The building blends three architectural periods: late Gothic elements, a Renaissance vault added in the mid-16th century, and later Baroque alterations. After 1618 the church was reworked in Baroque style, and in 1735 a four-sided tower was raised above the ruined tomb of the Krajíř family, a feature that still dominates the church's silhouette today.

The building's history has not been without hardship — in 1787, as part of the Josephine reforms that dissolved many monasteries and closed churches across the Habsburg monarchy, the church was deconsecrated. Through much of the 20th century the building fell into disrepair and stood unused for long stretches, losing its original religious function.

A revival for the church

The turning point came in 1997, when the local congregation of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren took an interest in the building. The congregation secured it on a long-term lease and carried out the repairs needed to bring it back into religious use. Since 2003, an extensive restoration has been underway covering both the church itself and the adjoining cemetery, which had previously fallen into significant neglect.

The church now hosts regular Sunday services from May through October. Each June, the park beside the building hosts Havloděj, a multi-genre festival combining theatre performances and music, its name a nod to the church's patron saint.

When to visit?

Spring and summer are the best times to visit, when services are held and the church interior is accessible, while the surrounding park invites a longer stroll. June is a particularly appealing time thanks to the Havloděj festival, ideal for visitors who want to combine sightseeing with cultural events. Outside the summer season, it's worth checking access in advance, since regular opening hours are largely tied to the schedule of services.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Church of Saint Gall in Mladá Boleslav built? The church was built between 1553 and 1559, as part of a new municipal cemetery established in 1539 after the earlier cemetery at St. John's Church became overcrowded.

Who designed the church? The design is attributed to Matteo Borgorelli, an Italian architect also responsible for the Mladá Boleslav town hall, the Unity of the Brethren's assembly hall, and the Renaissance rebuilding of the local castle.

What architectural style does the building represent? The church combines late Gothic elements, a Renaissance vault from the mid-16th century, and Baroque additions, including the four-sided tower added in 1735.

How is the church used today? Since 1997 it has been cared for by the local Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren congregation, which leases it long-term and holds Sunday services from May to October, plus the Havloděj festival each June.