Becov nad Teplou

About

Bečov nad Teplou Castle in the west of the Czech Republic is home to the reliquary of Saint Maurus (AD 512 – 584), a golden container for holy relics said to hold the remains of the saint along with those of John the Baptist and Saint Timothy. The story of how the thirteenth-century reliquary was concealed below the chapel in the castle just before the end of the Second World War before being unearthed by an American businessman in 1985 reads like the plot from a Hollywood movie. The reliquary itself is an outstanding piece of goldsmithery and is decorated with twelve reliefs, fourteen vermeil statuettes, and precious stones. The castle complex comprises the castle itself, the Renaissance palace, a Baroque chateau and terraced gardens while a tour focusing solely on the reliquary is available so visitors can hear the full story while marveling at this sacred and ancient extravagant work of art that will not disappoint.