Průzkumy památek 2025, 32(1)

The Journey of the Auxiliary Bishop of Olomouc, Martin Göschl, through the South, Southwest and Northwest of Bohemia in 1515

Roman Lavička

The sede vacante of the Prague archepiscopal see after the Hussite Wars led to a shortage of bishops in Bohemia who could consecrate sacral structures, including altars. The necessity for these operations resulted in bringing in a suffragan from Moravia or the surrounding lands to consecrate or issue indulgences and privileges for a fee. Martin Göschl, Auxiliary Bishop of Olomouc (c. 1480 – after 1533), travelled through the south, southwest and northwest of Bohemia between July and October 1515, consecrating churches and granting indulgences at the request of Catholic noblemen. Written sources and remaining structures provide insights into his fate and reconstruct his itinerary, but also shed light on the preparation and actual course of his journey. The construction development of the consecrated churches and the form of the perished structures reveal that the consecration date did not primarily depend on the completion of the structure but rather on the availability of the auxiliary bishop.

Keywords: Olomouc auxiliary bishop – suffragan – Martin Göschl – year 1515 – sacral architecture – art – middle ages – South Bohemia – Southwestern Bohemia – Northwestern Bohemia

Published: June 15, 2025  Show citation