Vitrážové muzeum Libyně

About the museum

The Vitrážové muzeum (Stained Glass Museum) was created in the Gothic Church of St Giles in Libyně near Lubenec, thanks to the association Za záchranu kostela sv. Jiljí (For the Rescue of the Church of St Giles) and the firm Skloart. In the past the church was earmarked for demolition, had no roof and was not structurally secured. In 2007 a volunteer association took it over and began repairs. During archaeological research the tomb of Dionýs Strojetický ze Strojetic was discovered, among other things.

The museum shows copies of stained-glass windows from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and 19th-century periods, and introduces the techniques of art glazing, such as painting, etching, sandblasting and the Tiffany technique. The largest project is the illuminated stained-glass ceiling; the names of contributors and volunteers are listed in its borders. At the centre of the ceiling is a restored window of the Crucifixion from the estate of a stained-glass artist from Karlovy Vary.

In the church gallery there is a small mini-gallery, and in the loft a regional museum with objects from the surrounding area. Above the church stands the Vochlická rozhledna (Vochlice Lookout Tower) from 1881, and a geological, artistic and spiritual educational trail runs between the museum and the tower.

Highlights

• Copies of stained-glass windows from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and 19th-century periods
• Illuminated stained-glass ceiling with a central window of the Crucifixion
• Overview of art glazing techniques, which have been on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage since 2023
• Regional museum in the church loft
• Vochlická lookout tower and educational trail near the museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Vitrážové muzeum – Copies of stained-glass windows from different periods and examples of art glazing techniques from earliest times to the present.
• Prosvětlený vitrážový strop – The church ceiling is set with stained-glass windows with a central Crucifixion motif; the names of contributors are listed in the borders.
• Regionální muzeum v podkroví – A small exhibition in the church loft with objects from the surrounding area, including coin finds and historical rarities.

Operated by

Spolek Za záchranu kostela sv. Jiljí a firma Skloart

Admission & discounts

Admission fees and proceeds from the sale of souvenirs are used to run the lookout tower and repair the church.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Children pay an admission fee of CZK 10.

Getting there & parking

The Church of St Giles stands in Libyně near Lubenec, about 300 m below the Vochlice Lookout Tower. GPS: 50,126341; 13,328105.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

During the season, postcards, tourist cards, stamps, cards and commemorative medals can be bought at the museum, and the keyholders will make coffee, cappuccino or tea on request. Outside the season, souvenirs are available at the stained-glass workshop in Lubenec.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.