Chapel of All Saints

The Chapel of All Saints is a picturesque ruined chapel on the Líšná hill above the small town of Rabí, in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic, standing in sight of the famous Rabí Castle ruins across the valley. Only the perimeter walls survive today, but the site still draws hikers walking the trails around the castle, offering sweeping views of the Otava river valley and a history wrapped in local legend.

Where exactly is it located?

The ruin stands on the western slope of the Líšná hill, at an elevation of roughly 550 meters, in the Klatovy district. It sits within view of the Rabí Castle ruins across the Otava river valley, close to a disused quarry, and is reached on foot from the town of Rabí via paths that connect with the wider hiking network around the castle.

How old is the chapel?

The exact date the chapel was built is unknown. Historians link its construction to the late Gothic period, and the oldest confirmed evidence of its existence is its depiction in a 1602 veduta (townscape engraving) by Jan Willenberg, which dates the building to no later than the start of the 17th century. Local tradition pushes the story back further, with tales tied to a hermit named Vintíř said to have lived here in solitude.

What survives on site today?

The chapel was built as a single-nave structure on a rectangular plan, with a triangular presbytery set on a narrow southern spur of the hillside. It was constructed of stone, with brick and wood used around the entrances. The west wall has survived best, along with partial stretches of the north and south walls, and the presbytery was likely lit by three windows. Traces of rough interior plaster are still visible on the standing walls. The site is freely accessible, with no restrictions on entry.

Why did the chapel fall into ruin?

The building was deconsecrated in the 1780s, during the Josephine reforms of Emperor Joseph II, who dissolved numerous churches and monasteries deemed unnecessary. From that point on, the chapel no longer served any religious function and, left without maintenance, gradually deteriorated. Despite the ongoing decay, the walls have endured to this day as a lasting feature of the hillside landscape.

What legends surround the site?

The chapel has accumulated a rich body of local folklore. One legend connects the spot to the hermit Vintíř, while another claims the chapel or hilltop once served as a lookout point guarding the approach to Rabí Castle. The most colorful tale involves a hoofprint said to have been left by the devil on a nearby rock — a legend invented to explain an unusual indentation in the stone. The chapel's history and architecture were examined in detail in a 2014 bachelor's thesis by Eliška Junková, dedicated to "the lost Chapel of All Saints near Rabí."

When is the best time to visit?

Since the ruin sits in the open on hilly terrain, spring, summer, and early autumn are the best times to visit, when the paths up the hill are dry and easy to walk. From the vantage point near the ruins, visitors get a clear view over the town of Rabí and the castle ruins towering above it, making the chapel a worthwhile addition to a visit to the castle itself.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Chapel of All Saints in Rabí? It's the ruin of a late Gothic chapel on the Líšná hill, facing the Rabí Castle ruins across the valley, known for its legends and views of the Otava river valley.

When was the chapel built? The exact date is unknown — the oldest confirmed record of it is a 1602 veduta by Jan Willenberg, though the structure is generally attributed to the late Gothic period.

Why is the chapel in ruins today? It was deconsecrated in the 1780s as part of Emperor Joseph II's religious reforms and has deteriorated ever since, no longer serving any religious purpose.

Can visitors freely explore the ruins? Yes, the chapel is freely accessible, and the best views of it and the Otava valley are found along the nearby trail that connects with the hiking routes around Rabí Castle.