Kostel svatého Martina (Řepy) Church

St. Martin's Church in Prague-Řepích is a small stone Romanesque church with rich history and architectural changes since the 13th century. It is located in Žalansky Street on the former village near the bus stop Ke Kamenka, which makes it easy for tourists and locals. The whole area of the church is protected as a cultural monument, which shows its historical value.

The creation of the church dates back to the middle of the 12th century when the original wooden church was built. After the fire, a stone building was built in the same place in the first decade of the 13th century. The Prague township Frovín is considered a builder, who bought the village Řepy from the Benedict Abbey in Břevnov. The church was built from a stone from nearby spitting quarries in Břevnov. The original Romanesque building had a rectangular boat, an apside in the east and a prism tower built around 1225. From this time, a late Romanesque portal with tympanone and painted cross was preserved.

The architecture of the church has undergone several stages of modifications that reflect various historical periods. In the Gothic period, a stone sandbox was found in the north wall of the apsid, which was covered with a new plaster. For centuries of non-use, which is documented by the report on its reconsecration in 1667, there have been baroque adjustments in the 18th century which included a built-in Baroque altar into the apside. Classicist changes were made in the 19th century, in which the main entrance to the west wall of the tower was moved and the back was attached.

Since the 13th century, St. Martin's Church had a cemetery, which served as a burial ground until the 19th century. In 1837, the new Greek cemetery was built in Žalansky Street and the original one at the church was abolished. During the construction of the sewers in 1968, mass graves, probably fallen from the Battle of White Mountain, were uncovered.

In the 20th century, the church met several important events. At the beginning of this century, fences were built to protect themselves from livestock. After World War II, new bells were hung on the tower dedicated to St. Wenceslas and St. Martin, which was passed by the Czech-Budějovice bell-keeper Rudolf Perner. In the 1970s, the church was closed and its mobiliary was taken away, which led to the rapid destruction of the building. At the end of the 1980s it was possible to start with static security and in 1990 archeological research was carried out which helped in the subsequent reconstruction. In the early 1990s, the medieval form of the church was restored with the preservation of important historical elements.

The interior combines historical elements with modern artistic benefits. A few preserved items, such as organ and painting of painter Wilhelm Kandler, were used in the interior decoration. In an interesting way, the work of modern artists, such as the vitrees of the glassmakers Jiří Černohorský and Vilem Volka, the sculpture of Josef Mlouha and the paintings of his brother Vlastimil Bláhy in the newly built sacristy, were also used.

The spiritual administration of the church has undergone several changes. Originally, he was a filial church of the parish church of St. Fabian and Shebestian in Liboc, which is documented by a report from 1368. This situation lasted until the 20th century. Since 1996, St. Martin's Church has been the parish church of the Roman Catholic parish at St. Martin's Church Praha-Řepy, with a filial church in the nearby Church of the Holy Family in St. Charles Boromei's House in Řepice. The parish is located in the sacristy of the Church of the Holy Family and the parish administrator has been Řehor J. Žáček OPraem since 2020.

Today the church of St. Martin is not only an important historical monument, but also an active centre of spiritual life in the area. His services and other services also work during the coronavirus time with regard to current possibilities. The church is accessible to visitors who want to discover its rich history and artistic elements.

St. Martin's Church in Prague-Řepích is really a valuable place to visit. Its long-term history, architectural changes and spiritual significance make it not only a memory of the past, but also a living part of the current community. Exploring this church offers a unique view of the history and culture of the Czech Republic.