chrámu

Chrám is a Czech noun for a sacred building used for religious worship. The term covers a range of structures, from Christian churches to temples of other faiths. In everyday Czech, kostel is the more common word for a church, while chrám usually denotes a larger, historically significant church or, when referring to non-Christian religions, a temple. The word can also denote a cathedral when the church serves as a bishop’s seat, though the precise term for that is katedrála.

Etymology: Chrám comes from Proto-Slavic roots meaning sanctuary or temple. There are cognates in related Slavic languages, reflecting a shared semantic field for sacred spaces.

Architecture and use: Chrámů are typically monumental buildings with features such as a nave, apse, altar, and often domes, vaults, and ornate decoration. They host liturgical rites, ceremonies, pilgrimages, and community events, and their design often reflects the historical and cultural status of a city or region.

Non-Christian contexts: In Czech, chrám can also denote temples of religions other than Christianity, such as Hindu or Buddhist temples, though these are usually described with an appropriate modifier (for example, hindujský chrám or buddhistický chrám).

Examples: A well-known example is Chrám svatého Víta (St. Vitus Cathedral) in Prague, a prominent symbol of Czech history and a major architectural landmark.