Betlémská kaple a Muzeum Jana Husa

About the museum

The Bethlehem Chapel (Betlémská kaple) is a national cultural monument and the first preaching church in Europe. It is dedicated to the memory of the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem. In 1391 it was founded by Prague burghers, the haberdasher Jan Kříž and the courtier Hanuš z Mühlheimu, with the express stipulation that preaching there was to be in Czech. Construction took place from 1391 to 1394, and from 1402 to 1413 Master Jan Hus preached there. From the start the chapel was linked with the university, and it became a place where the burghers’ interest in church reform met the progressive currents within the university.

Hus’s successor, Jakoubek of Stříbro, introduced communion under both kinds in 1414, first in the church of St Martin in the Wall (U Martina ve zdi) and then in the Bethlehem Chapel, where it continued until 1622. In that year the university handed the chapel over to the Jesuits. Today the chapel is owned by the Czech Technical University (ČVUT) and also serves as a venue for graduation ceremonies, concerts and other events.

The Jan Hus Museum is housed in the adjoining Preacher’s House. On the first floor is a permanent exhibition on the history of the chapel and the tradition of non-Catholic thought, a small room (světnička) in which, according to the exhibition, Jan Hus lived, and on the upper floors the preacher’s flat. The museum offers a popular and educational introduction to the personality of Jan Hus and his international significance, including programmes for school groups.

Highlights

• Bethlehem Chapel, the first preaching church in Europe
• The small room where, according to the exhibition, Jan Hus lived
• Permanent exhibition on the history of the chapel and non-Catholic thought
• The inscription “Za pravdu” (“For the truth”), formed by a shadow on the wall (in summer, around 15:00)
• Guided tours in Czech and foreign languages at no extra charge

Permanent exhibition

• Muzeum Jana Husa – stálá expozice v Domě kazatele – The exhibition on the first floor traces the history of the Bethlehem Chapel and the tradition of non-Catholic thought, and presents the life and work of Master Jan Hus.

Operated by

České vysoké učení technické v Praze (Betlémská beseda)

Admission & discounts

Prices are taken from the Prague City Tourism portal; groups should check the conditions at the ticket desk. A guided tour in Czech or a foreign language is available at no extra charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Information on step-free access is not published.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The exhibition also caters for child visitors, and museum-educational programmes are available for school groups.

Getting there & parking

The chapel stands on Betlémské náměstí in the Old Town, not far from the Náprstek Museum.

Amenities & dining

Printed information about the chapel is available in almost all world languages.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 450 guests.

The Bethlehem Chapel can be hired for festive events (graduation ceremonies, concerts, receptions, premieres); capacity is 450 seats.

Plan your visit