Chapel at Ursulines monastery

The Chapel of Christ on the Mount of Olives is a small, early Baroque structure tucked away on the grounds of the former monastery at the Ursuline convent in Brno, on Josefská Street, near its corner with Orlí Street in the very heart of the city.

What is the history behind this chapel?

The chapel was built in the early 1670s in the monastery garden, which at the time belonged to the Franciscans. It served as a burial chapel — a place tied to the religious community's own deceased rather than a parish or pilgrimage church in the usual sense. Its modest scale and unassuming architecture reflect that original, private purpose.

The fate of the whole monastic complex changed in 1782. Under a Josephine decree issued on 18 January of that year — part of the broader reforms that dissolved a number of religious orders across the Habsburg monarchy — the Franciscan monastery was closed. Its buildings and church, along with the garden and chapel, were handed over to the Ursulines of the Roman rite. The order administered the site continuously until the mid-20th century, when the Ursuline community in Brno was dissolved during the wave of monastery closures typical of Czechoslovakia in the 1950s.

After 1997 the property passed into the ownership of the Diocese of Brno, and part of the former monastery complex — including the building known today as "Klášter" on the corner of Orlí and Josefská streets — is now used for commercial purposes. The chapel remains part of this complex and is protected as a cultural monument.

What can you actually see here?

The chapel itself is a small, intimate sacred space hidden deep within the former monastery garden — it is barely visible from the street, which is part of its particular charm. That hidden character means many Brno locals are unaware it exists at all, even though it sits just a few dozen metres from the busy streets of the historic centre. In recent years the Diocese of Brno has been working on restoring the former monastery grounds, with plans to open the gardens and the chapel more broadly to visitors.

How do you get there?

The chapel stands right in the centre of Brno, on Josefská Street, directly next to Orlí Street. It's an easily walkable location from náměstí Svobody (Freedom Square) and the other main points of the historic centre — the walk takes only a few minutes. Because part of the former monastery is now in commercial use, access to the chapel itself can be limited and depends on the current opening arrangements for the site. It's worth checking ahead, especially if you're not planning to visit during a special event such as the Night of Churches.

When is the best time to visit?

Given its niche, low-key character, the best opportunities to see the chapel come during occasional open days or cultural events organised by the Diocese of Brno, when access to the garden and the chapel's interior tends to be easier. Outside of those occasions, expect the limited access typical of a site that sits on privately or commercially managed grounds.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is the Chapel of Christ on the Mount of Olives? It's an early Baroque chapel from the early 1670s, built in the garden of the former Franciscan monastery in Brno as a burial chapel.

Why is it associated with the Ursulines if it was built for the Franciscans? After the Franciscan monastery was dissolved in 1782 under a Josephine decree, the whole complex — chapel included — was transferred to the Ursulines, who ran it until the 1950s.

Can you visit the chapel on a regular day? Access can be limited, since part of the former monastery now serves commercial functions. The easiest way to see it is during occasional events when the grounds are opened to the public.

Where exactly is the chapel located? In the centre of Brno, on the grounds of the former monastery on Josefská Street, near the corner with Orlí Street — just a few minutes' walk from the city's main square.