Chapel of the Holy Cross, Castle chapel in Budňany, Czech Republic

The Chapel of the Holy Cross occupies the entire second floor of the Great Tower of Karlštejn Castle, a rectangular space about 9 by 15 metres. Its cross-vaulted ceiling is gilded and studded with glass lenses forming stars, a sun and a moon, while the walls are inlaid with polished semi-precious stones and hung with 129 Gothic panel paintings of saints by the workshop of Master Theodoric. A gilded wrought-iron grille with a diamond lattice divides the nave from the presbytery.

Charles IV had the chapel built in the Great Tower and it was consecrated in 1365 by Archbishop Jan Očko of Vlašim. From then it held the imperial coronation jewels and, from 1419, those of the Czech kingdom. Mass was said here only twice a year, and the interior has survived almost untouched.

The chapel's original name, Chapel of the Lord's Suffering and His Sign and of All the Heavenly Host, reflects its dedication. Mass was held here only twice a year, celebrated by the Prague archbishop or the Karlštejn dean, and access was otherwise restricted. Among the 129 panel saints is Maurice shown as a black African.

The chapel occupies the whole second floor of the Great Tower, reached by a spiral staircase in the south wall leading to a small corridor lit only through the stairwell spindle. Four plated doors with nine locks guard the entrance, and a guard space sits above the chapel. Mass was held here only twice a year, so access has always been restricted.

The chapel's consecration in 1365 by Archbishop Jan Očko of Vlašim fixed its purpose, and access stayed so restricted that Mass was held here only twice a year, celebrated by the Prague archbishop or the Karlštejn dean. Among the 129 panel paintings of the heavenly host is Saint Maurice shown as a black African.