Orthodox church of the Holy Trinity in Sokolov

The Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity stands at the southwestern corner of the Old Square in Sokolov, right in front of the former Capuchin monastery, in the Karlovy Vary region of the Czech Republic. This small Baroque building has changed denomination, function and appearance over more than two and a half centuries, and today it serves the local Orthodox community.

How do you get there?

Sokolov lies in the northwestern part of the Czech Republic, roughly 15 km from Karlovy Vary, with regular bus and train connections between the two towns. The church sits right in the historic centre, at the edge of the Old Square, so it's an easy walk of just a few minutes from either the train or bus station. The area around the square is largely pedestrianised, so the most practical option is to park nearby and continue on foot.

What is the history behind it?

The building dates back to 1719, when it was constructed as a Baroque cemetery chapel dedicated to the Coronation of the Virgin Mary, standing in front of the Capuchin monastery. Between 1772 and 1774, archdeacon Karel Müller had it rebuilt in a late Baroque style, giving the chapel its current, more elaborate form. In 1772, the painter and burgher of Horní Slavkov, Eliáš Dollhopf, decorated the interior with Baroque frescoes.

The building's history hasn't been without setbacks: a major fire that swept through the town in 1874 destroyed much of Sokolov, including the chapel's interior. It was subsequently repaired, and underwent its most recent major reconstruction in the mid-1990s. That reconstruction marked a turning point — the former Roman Catholic cemetery chapel was handed over for use by the Orthodox community, although the Orthodox parish in Sokolov itself has existed since the 1970s.

What can you see inside and around it?

The church retains the proportions typical of Baroque architecture, with a modest yet elegant exterior. Inside, visitors can spot traces of the 18th-century painted decoration alongside an iconostasis and liturgical furnishings typical of Orthodox worship, which now coexist with the original Baroque interior architecture. The square in front of the church — the site of the former cemetery — today forms part of the representative space of the Old Square, next to the buildings of the former Capuchin monastery.

Who makes up today's parish?

The community gathered around the church is multi-ethnic: it includes Czechs, among them descendants of the so-called Volhynian Czechs, as well as Ruthenians, Ukrainians, Bulgarians and Orthodox believers of other nationalities living in the region. Despite its modest size, the church plays an important role in bringing together the local Orthodox minority.

When is the best time to visit?

Since this is an active parish church, the most rewarding time to visit is during a service, when the interior can be seen in full liturgical use rather than just from the outside. Outside service hours, access to the interior can be limited, so it's worth keeping this in mind when planning a visit to Sokolov's Old Square.

Frequently asked questions

Has the church always been Orthodox? No. It started out in 1719 as a Roman Catholic cemetery chapel dedicated to the Coronation of the Virgin Mary. It has only served as an Orthodox church since the 1990s.

Where exactly is the church located? At the southwestern edge of the Old Square in Sokolov, facing the former Capuchin monastery.

What happened to the chapel's original decoration? The 1772 Baroque frescoes by Eliáš Dollhopf, along with much of the interior, were destroyed in the major town fire of 1874.

Can visitors go inside? Yes, as an active parish church it's mainly accessible during services, so it's worth planning a visit around those times.