Church of St Mary Magdalene in Karlovy Vary

The Church of St Mary Magdalene is one of the great Baroque landmarks of Karlovy Vary. It stands just a short walk from the Hot Spring Colonnade, so it naturally belongs to the spa centre's most familiar views. The church was designed by the Prague architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer and built in 1733-1736 under the builder Tomáš Hansen. It opened ceremonially in 1737 and has been a national cultural monument since 2010.

Baroque Architecture

A Gothic church had stood here from the Middle Ages, but repeated fires and the growing spa town called for a new building. Instead of repairing the old structure, Karlovy Vary chose a confident Baroque replacement. The foundation stone was laid on 27 April 1733.

The ground plan is strongly Dientzenhofer in character: the main space is formed around a lengthwise oval, opened diagonally by semi-circular side spaces. The dome with rib bands and a lantern fills the interior with theatrical Baroque light. The two-tower facade rises from a high base and is crowned by a richly profiled triangular gable; the towers with onion domes, rebuilt in 1861, are 38 metres high.

Inside the presbytery and six chapels, the church preserves an 18th-century Baroque furnishing ensemble with altar paintings, statues of saints and sculptural decoration. The interior is completed by 19th-century stained glass with scenes of Christ at Emmaus and the Last Supper.

Underground Crypt

The historic crypt below the church is the most unusual part of the visit. Seasonal guided tours lead into the underground space, where you can see a ceremonial Holy Sepulchre niche, mineral sinter linked with Karlovy Vary spring water, remains from the old cemetery and passages connected with the earlier Gothic church.

The tour takes about 30 minutes. Entry to the crypt is free, but advance booking is required.

Underground tour season:

• May-June and September-October: 10:00-17:00
• July-August: 10:00-17:00, with extended afternoon opening 14:00-19:00
• November-April: closed

Concerts and Visits

The church's acoustics make it a regular setting for classical music, especially the Ave Maria concert series. Tickets are usually available from 590 Kč at the Hot Spring Colonnade ticket office.

Outside services and concerts, visits are usually arranged individually with the parish. For the crypt, reserve in advance through the excursion contact or the ticket office by the Hot Spring Colonnade.

Practical Information

The church is right in the spa district, so it combines naturally with the Hot Spring Colonnade, Theatre Square and the Teplá River promenade. The main church visit is short; add more time if you join the crypt tour or a concert.

Directions and Contacts

• Address: náměstí Svobody 1, 360 01 Karlovy Vary
• GPS: 50.2227, 12.8844
• Parish phone: +420 355 321 171
• Crypt tour booking: exkurze@splzak.com, +420 353 362 125
• Tour website: splzak.cz
• Public transport: bus 2 or 11, stop Divadelní náměstí, about 100 metres away
• Parking: Libušina ulice parking house