Church of Saint Peter and Paul

Structure type: Pseudo-Romanesque single-aisle church
Location: In Mariánskolázeňská Street in the southern outskirts of Karlovy Vary
Period of construction: Between 1854 and 1856
Period of reconstruction: Between 1893 and 1894
Architect: Jullius Zeissig
Official opening: 1 July 1856
Accessibility: Accessible within opening hours for visitors

 How to get there

Route 1:        You may reach the church if you walk from the Hot Spring in the spa centre along the Teplá River and Císařské lázně (Imperial Spa). This short level route through the historical part of the city is approximately 700 metres long and it will take you about 15 minutes.

Route 2:        If you decide for the second route, travel by Bus No. 2 from the "Tržnice" (Market) city bus terminal to the "Lázně I" (Spa I) stop in the vicinity of Císařské lázně (Imperial Spa). From there, you will need to walk back approximately 200 metres to the church. You may also travel to the "Lázně I" (Spa I) stop by shuttle Bus No. 20 from the KOME park-and-ride car park. The bus line is in service daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

History of the structure

The originally plain and towerless Pseudo-Romanesque church was constructed by architect Gustav Hein between the years 1854 and 1856. The land for the foundation of a place of prayer for non-Catholic spa guests behind the former town brewery, i.e. the present-day building of Císařské lázně (Imperial Spa), was donated by Countess Schamburg-Lippe. The new church was consecrated on 1 July 1856.

During the "Golden Age" of the spa, the Anglican and Orthodox Churches built their own places of worship and the sacral structure fell into the possession of the Lutheran Church. The new main forefront and the church tower were built during a reconstruction carried out between the years 1864 and 1865. The church acquired its present-day appearance during the subsequent reconstruction effected in the years 1893 and 1894 under the supervision of architect Jullius Zeissig from Leipzig.

The interior is dominated by the altar with the Ascension of Christ painted by C. Steffeck from Berlin in 1857. Later, the reliefs of Jan Žižka and Jan Hus were installed on each side of the triumphal arch. The highlight of the church interior is its magnificent coffered ceiling with Romanesque painting. Since 1946, the church is in the possession of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church Congregation of Dr. Pavel Farský. The church is open to those who wish to contemplate in quiet solitude daily from 08:00 am to 6:00 pm. The Church of Saint Peter and Paul offers a pleasant stop to spa guests during their walks through the history of Karlovy Vary.