Holy Trinity Church (Klášterec nad Ohří)

Holy Trinity Church in Klášterec nad Ohří is the most important religious landmark in this small town in the Ústí nad Labem Region of northwestern Czechia. The Roman Catholic parish church stands right in the historic centre of Klášterec, on the banks of the Ohře river, and has shaped the town's skyline for more than three and a half centuries.

What is the history behind the church?

The site for a new parish church was chosen by Jan Zikmund Thun, a member of the Thun family who owned the local castle and surrounding estates. He died before construction began, and the project was carried through by his son, Michael Osvald of Thun-Hohenstein, under whose patronage the church was built between 1665 and 1670. The design came from the Italian architect Carlo Lurago, while the actual construction was carried out by the Italian builder and stucco craftsman Rossi de Luca — a pairing typical of the period, when Bohemian nobility regularly brought in Italian architects and craftsmen for their residences and church foundations.

The finished church was consecrated on 21 September 1670 by Václav Hrabě Thun, Bishop of Passau and another member of the same family, tying the building even more closely to the Thun dynasty. Since then it has served continuously as the parish church of Klášterec nad Ohří. In 1963 the building was placed under statutory protection as a cultural monument, formally recognising its historical and architectural value within the wider region.

What can you see there?

The church has a single-nave layout, closed off at the presbytery by a polygonal apse — a solution characteristic of Central European Baroque architecture in the 17th century. A sacristy adjoins the main body of the church on the north side, and inside, an oratory has survived: a separate gallery once reserved for the nobility, from which the founding family could attend services apart from the rest of the congregation. Despite its modest scale, the building's massing clearly reflects its Baroque origins and the Thun family's ambition to give the town a parish church befitting their status.

How do you get there?

The church stands in the centre of Klášterec nad Ohří, a town in the Ústí nad Labem Region close to the border with Saxony. The easiest way to reach it is by car or by train — the town lies on the railway line connecting Chomutov and Karlovy Vary, and from the station it is only a short walk to the town centre and the church itself. Its coordinates are 50.38492, 13.17184, which makes it easy to navigate to by GPS if you're arriving by car.

When is the best time to visit?

Like much of the region, Klášterec nad Ohří is most comfortable to explore in spring, summer, and early autumn, when the weather suits both walking around the historic centre and visiting the nearby castle and the Ohře river valley. It's worth combining a stop at the church with a wider walk through the rest of the old town.

Frequently asked questions

Who commissioned Holy Trinity Church in Klášterec nad Ohří? Construction was initiated by Jan Zikmund Thun and completed after his death by his son, Michael Osvald of Thun-Hohenstein.

When was the church built? It was built between 1665 and 1670 and consecrated on 21 September 1670.

Who designed the church? The design was created by Italian architect Carlo Lurago, with construction carried out by Rossi de Luca.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it has been protected as a cultural monument since 1963.