Stained Glass Museum Libyně

The Stained Glass Museum occupies the former Church of St. Giles in the village of Libyně, part of the Lubenec municipality in the Ústí nad Labem Region, close to Drahonice. It is a one-of-a-kind attraction in Europe: an entire deconsecrated church filled not with pews and altarpieces, but with colored glass.

How do you get there?

Libyně sits a few kilometers from Lubenec, along the road connecting the Žatec and Karlovy Vary areas. Driving is the easiest option, with a small parking area right by the church. Travelers without a car can take a bus to Lubenec and continue on foot or by bike through the quiet countryside of the Louny district. Many visitors combine the museum with a stop at the nearby Vochlice lookout tower, turning a short visit into a fuller day trip around the region.

What will you see?

The interior of St. Giles' Church was transformed into a stained-glass gallery through the efforts of the association "Za záchranu kostela sv. Jiljí" (For the Rescue of St. Giles' Church) together with Skloart, a local glassmaking company based in Libyně. Instead of a traditional altar, visitors find reproductions of stained glass inspired by Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and 19th-century styles, gradually filling the church's window openings. The collection also includes pieces combining ceramics with colored glass, a stained-glass ceiling, and small glass decorations placed around the exterior of the building. As daylight shifts through the day, the colors thrown across the church interior change with it, so no two visits look quite the same. It's a place that appeals equally to fans of decorative glass craft and to anyone looking for an unusual, quiet stop off the beaten path in the Lubenec area.

When should you visit?

The museum operates seasonally. During the tourist season, the church is open on weekends from 10:00 to 17:00, though it's worth checking current hours before setting out, since the schedule can shift with the season. The best time to appreciate the windows is on a sunny day, when light passing through the colored glass casts vivid patterns across the church interior. Spring and summer are also the most convenient seasons for pairing the museum with outdoor exploring in the surrounding hills.

Who is this for?

This is not a large, heavily visited landmark but a small, distinctive site with a strong artistic identity. It works well as a stop on a broader route through the Lubenec area, particularly for travelers interested in sacred art, glasswork craftsmanship, or photography — the interplay of colored light inside the old church makes for a rewarding subject for a camera.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Stained Glass Museum located? In the former Church of St. Giles in the village of Libyně, part of the Lubenec municipality, near Drahonice, in the Ústí nad Labem Region.

What makes this museum different from other stained-glass collections? It is the only museum in Europe where the entire interior of a former church is dedicated to stained glass — reproductions spanning styles from Romanesque to 19th century, alongside ceramic-glass combinations and a stained-glass ceiling.

Is the museum open year-round? No — it operates seasonally, open on weekends from 10:00 to 17:00 during the tourist season. Check current opening times before visiting.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The Vochlice lookout tower is close by and pairs well with a museum visit as part of a single day trip through the Lubenec region.