Church of Saint Martin (Řepy)

The Church of Saint Martin in Řepy is a small stone Romanesque church and one of the oldest surviving religious buildings within present-day Prague. It stands on Žalanského Street, on the site of the former village green of the historic settlement of Řepy, now part of Prague 6. Its simple layout — a vestibule, rectangular nave and semicircular apse — has set it apart from the surrounding neighborhood for centuries, even as that neighborhood was completely transformed in the 20th century.

How old is the church?

The exact construction date remains a matter of scholarly debate. Older historical studies dated the church to the mid-12th century and attributed its founding to Benedictine monks from the nearby Břevnov Monastery. More recent archaeological research, however, points to a later origin, in the first half of the 13th century. Whichever dating proves correct, the building belongs to the oldest layer of religious architecture surviving anywhere within Prague's current boundaries.

The first written record of the stone Church of St. Martin dates back to 1368, when it was documented as a subsidiary (filial) church under the parish in Liboc, a neighboring settlement that today is likewise part of Prague.

What role does it play today?

Since 1996, the Church of St. Martin has served as the parish church of the Roman Catholic Parish of St. Martin, Prague-Řepy. The nearby Church of the Holy Family belongs to the same parish and now functions as its filial church — effectively reversing the relationship that existed centuries earlier, when St. Martin's itself was the subordinate church.

The entire church complex is listed as a protected cultural monument.

Where exactly is it located?

The church stands on Žalanského Street, on the grounds of the former village green of Řepy. The nearest public transport stop is Ke Kaménce, served by bus line 164. Despite standing on what was once an open village square, the church remains a visual and historical landmark for this part of the district, even though the surrounding area was entirely rebuilt during the era of large panel housing estates in the 20th century.

Frequently asked questions

Is St. Martin's the oldest church in Řepy? Yes, it is the oldest surviving religious building in this part of Prague, with roots reaching back to the Middle Ages, though its precise age is still debated among researchers.

Who built the church? An older theory credits Benedictine monks from Břevnov Monastery, but more recent archaeological research points to the 13th century as the more likely period of construction.

Does the church still function as a parish church? Yes, since 1996 it has been the parish church of the Roman Catholic Parish of Prague-Řepy, with the nearby Church of the Holy Family serving as its filial church.

How can I get to the church? The easiest way is by bus line 164 to the Ke Kaménce stop, from where the church on Žalanského Street is just a short walk away.

Is the building a protected monument? Yes, the entire church complex is registered as a cultural monument and is protected accordingly.