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BETHLEHEM CHAPEL The Bethlehem Chapel is administered by the Czech Technical University. Visits, rental and catering services are organized by the University's Technical Facilities Administration.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND )
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The Bethlehem Chapel is a national monument and the first sermonic church in Europe.
The Chapel was founded by two Prague commons - shopkeeper Jan Kříž and courtier Hanuš of Mühlheim - in 1391. In the founding document dated 24 May 1391, both the donors specifically stipulated that the Chapel should serve to sermonize in the Czech language. The Chapel was built between 1391 and 1394 and Mr. Jan Hus sermoned there between 1402 and 1413. From its very beginning, it was closely connected to Charles University. The interest of Prague commons in the Catholic Church reform movement and the progressive efforts at the University found common grounds at the Bethlehem Chapel. The Chapel was owned by the University between 1638 and 1661. In 1786, a major part of the Chapel was torn down; however, in the fifties of the 20th century, the Chapel was restored according to the project prepared by architect Fragner to approximately correspond with its original appearance, using the preserved fragments of the original walls Since 1987, the Chapel has been operated by the Czech Technical University in Prague. The University reconstructed the Chapel at its own expense and re-opened it to the public on 26 March 1992. Following up the academic tradition, the Chapel became the great ceremonial hall of the Czech Technical University.
VIRTUAL TRAVEL |
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