Chapel of Jesus Christ in Gethsemane

The Chapel of Jesus Christ in Gethsemane is a small but community-important chapel in Brno, standing on Veslařská Street in the Žabovřesky district, right next to the bridge over the Svratka River that leads toward Jundrov. Administratively the chapel belongs to the Roman Catholic parish of Brno-Komín, even though its riverside setting, close to the rowing club piers, feels a world away from the parish's own namesake district.

How did this chapel come to be?

The building's story as a place of worship starts in 1947, when a structure previously owned by the Orel gymnastic organization was converted into a chapel. For a few short post-war years, until 1950, daily Masses were celebrated here, with pastoral care provided by priests from the Consolers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus — Fathers Stanislav Šlapák and Jiří Eduard Krejčí. That brief period of activity was cut short by the so-called Action K of 1950, the communist regime's crackdown that dissolved religious orders across Czechoslovakia, which also swept away the chapel's caretakers.

After that, religious life at the site faded for a long time. For eleven years, Mass for the local faithful was instead held in nearby Jundrov, led by the Komín parish priest Father Cyril Růžička and chaplain Father Josef Bradáč. The chapel on Veslařská itself was used only sporadically during this period, losing its earlier role as a daily place of prayer.

What can you see inside today?

Only after 1989, with the restoration of religious freedom, did the chapel return to regular use. Today it hosts Sunday and holy-day services at 8:30 in the morning, functioning as an intimate neighborhood place of prayer for the residents of Žabovřesky and the surrounding area.

The interior is modest in size but has character of its own — the altar holds two large wooden sculptures, the most recognizable feature of the chapel's decor. In the presbytery, look out for a foundation stone originally prepared for a planned new church or chapel in Jundrov — a project that was never carried out, leaving the stone behind as a curious trace of unrealized plans.

How do you get there?

The chapel sits in a green strip along the Svratka River, next to the rowing club piers, making it a natural stop on a riverside walk or bike ride. It's a good spot to pause away from the bustle of downtown Brno — the surroundings are quiet, green, and popular with locals out jogging or cycling along the embankment. The bridge to Jundrov right beside the chapel makes it easy to continue exploring both riverbanks.

Frequently asked questions

Is the chapel open to visitors on a daily basis? The chapel primarily serves a liturgical function — the easiest time to see its interior is during Sunday and holy-day services at 8:30 a.m., when the building is open to worshippers.

Which parish does the chapel belong to? It formally falls under the Roman Catholic parish of Brno-Komín, even though it physically stands in the Žabovřesky district.

What is the foundation stone in the presbytery about? It's a remnant of an unrealized plan to build a new church or chapel in neighboring Jundrov — a project that never got past the preparatory stage.

Why did the chapel stand largely empty for years? The cause was the communist Action K of 1950, which removed the religious order caring for the chapel from active ministry and shifted local religious life to Jundrov for the next eleven years.