Becov nad Teplou

The reliquary of St Maurus was made around 1225-1230 in the Meuse valley, a gilded oak casket in the shape of a church covered in silver figures, filigree and gemstones, and it is one of the most important Romanesque goldsmiths' works in existence, comparable to the Aachen shrines. It came to Becov in the nineteenth century with the Beaufort-Spontin family. In 1945 the family, leaving, buried it under the floor of the castle chapel. It stayed there for forty years until 1985, when Czechoslovak authorities acting on an approach from a foreign dealer trying to buy an unnamed object in a named place worked out what and where it was, and dug it up. It was restored over a decade and is displayed here in a purpose-built secure room. The castle itself is a Gothic core with a baroque chateau beside it, on a rock above the Tepla.

History

The name most probably comes from Bečkov, "Bečka's court", after a personal name. The castle is first mentioned in 1317, founded by the Lords of Rýzmburk; the settlement below is first recorded in 1387 and was made a town in 1399 (Wikipedia, Bečov nad Teplou).

What to look for

• The reliquary of St Maurus - Romanesque goldsmiths' work of about 1225-1230.
• The chapel floor - where it was buried in 1945 and left for forty years.
• A Gothic castle and baroque chateau - side by side on the rock above the river.
• A purpose-built display - the shrine shown in a secure room after restoration.

When to go

April to October. Half a day.

Practical notes

The reliquary is on its own guided route with limited group sizes and set times - book ahead, it sells out. Photography is forbidden in the display room. Seasonal opening only.

Nearby

Karlovy Vary is north; Kynzvart chateau is south-west.