Church of Saint Mary Magdalene

Location: Near the Hot Spring in the centre of Karlovy Vary
Period of construction: Between 1733 and 1736
Architect: Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer
Official opening: 1737
Accessibility: Accessible during religious services and cultural events

How to get there

Route 1: The church is situated directly in the spa centre of Karlovy Vary. You will find it approximately 100 metres from the open space in front of the Hot Spring Colonnade.

Route 2: Bus No. 2 will take you from Tržnice (Market) to Divadelní náměstí (Theatre Square) in the spa centre. The church is only about 200 metres from the "Divadelní náměstí" (Theatre Square) bus stop. 

History of the structure

The original medieval Gothic Church of Saint Mary Magdalene surrounded by a cemetery was built in the second half of the 14^th century on a small hill above the Hot Spring in the centre of Karlovy Vary. It was rebuilt in Renaissance style in 1518. In the early 18^th century, the church was in a very poor condition as a result of several fires. It was thus designated for demolition and a new church was to be built on its site.
The foundation stone of the new church was laid on 27 April 1733.

The decanal Church of Saint Mary Magdalene was built in high Baroque style between the years 1733 and 1736 according to the design of renowned Czech architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer.The final stone was placed in the church lantern by Dean Ottický on 1 October 1736. The magnificent tabernacle was declared a National Cultural Monument in 2010. In the interior, you may admire a richly decorated Baroque altar from the 18^th century. While visiting the church, you should not miss the unique funeral crypt in the original Gothic underground, which houses the skeletal remains from the former cemetery.