Chapel of Holy Spirit

The Chapel of the Holy Spirit is a small church in Milokošť, a part of the town of Veselí nad Moravou in South Moravia, Czech Republic. Unlike most Czech churches with centuries of history, this chapel is barely a quarter-century old — and its story is closely tied to one of the most devastating events in the region's postwar history.

Why was the chapel built in Milokošť?

In the summer of 1997, Moravia was struck by catastrophic flooding, one of the worst in the country's modern history. Milokošť, like many neighboring settlements, suffered heavy damage. In response, local residents formed the Society for the Renewal of Milokošť (Spolek pro obnovu Milokoště), one of whose goals was to build a chapel of its own — a place of prayer and a symbol of recovery after the disaster. The cornerstone was laid on June 5, 1998. Construction took two years, and the finished chapel was consecrated on June 10, 2000, by Archbishop Jan Graubner of Olomouc. The date was no coincidence: the ceremony took place on Pentecost, fittingly for a chapel dedicated to the Holy Spirit. In 2025, the parish community marked the 25th anniversary of that consecration.

What will you find there?

The chapel belongs to the Roman Catholic parish of Veselí nad Moravou and serves as an intimate place of prayer for the residents of Milokošť. It is modest in form but significant to local identity — built not through top-down initiative but as a grassroots project of people determined to rebuild their community after a natural disaster. Visiting it is worth doing with that context in mind: this isn't a guidebook landmark, but a living symbol of local solidarity.

How do you get to the chapel?

Milokošť lies within the administrative boundaries of Veselí nad Moravou, a town on the Morava River also known as one of the ports along the Baťa Canal (Baťův kanál), a popular route for river cruising and cycling. Veselí nad Moravou has train and bus connections to Uherské Hradiště and Hodonín, and from there Milokošť is reachable by local transport, on foot, or by bike — the surrounding countryside is flat and easy to explore on two wheels.

When is the best time to visit?

The chapel regularly opens its doors to visitors during the nationwide Night of Churches (Noc kostelů), an annual evening event when churches across the Czech Republic welcome the public, often with an accompanying cultural or devotional program. It's a good opportunity to see the interior and hear the chapel's history directly from the local community. It's also worth keeping the consecration date — Pentecost — in mind, since it carries special anniversary significance for the parish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the Chapel of the Holy Spirit located? In Milokošť, a village that is part of Veselí nad Moravou in the South Moravian Region, near the Baťa Canal.

When was the chapel built? Its cornerstone was laid in 1998, and it was consecrated on June 10, 2000.

Why was the chapel built specifically in Milokošť? As the local community's response to the damage caused by the 1997 floods — it was meant to be both a symbol of recovery and a place of prayer.

Can visitors tour the chapel? Yes, notably during the nationwide Night of Churches event, when the chapel is open to the public along with additional programming.