Chapel of Saint Andrew

The Chapel of Saint Andrew stands in the second courtyard of Hukvaldy Castle, in the Sklenov cadastral area belonging to the Hukvaldy municipality in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. It is one of the best-preserved structures within the sprawling castle ruins and still serves an active religious function, remaining the focus of an annual pilgrimage.

When was the chapel built and who commissioned it?

The chapel was built in 1602 on the initiative of František Dietrichstein, the Bishop of Olomouc at the time, whose diocese held Hukvaldy Castle as one of its residences. It was built as a castle church, intended to serve both the garrison and residents of the castle and people from the surrounding estates belonging to the bishopric.

What does the chapel look like?

The building measures roughly 20 metres in length and 10 metres in width, making it one of the larger sacred structures within the castle walls. Inside are two altars: the main altar dedicated to the chapel's patron, Saint Andrew, and a side altar dedicated to Saint Barbara and Saint Rosalia.

Who created the chapel's decoration?

The altar paintings were made by Antonín Martin Lublinský (1636-1690), a painter active in Moravia in the second half of the 17th century. The chapel's rich stucco decoration, including its ornate pulpit, is the work of the Italian stuccoist Baldassare Fontana (1661-1733), one of the most sought-after creators of Baroque church interiors in Moravia, whose work also decorates other churches and residences in the region.

What happened to the chapel later?

The chapel underwent repair work in 1949, which helped preserve it in good condition even as a large part of Hukvaldy Castle fell into ruin. It is still used today, most notably during the annual Saint Andrew pilgrimage that draws visitors from the surrounding area to the castle each year.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Chapel of Saint Andrew located?

It stands in the second courtyard of Hukvaldy Castle, in the Sklenov (Horní Sklenov) cadastral area of the Hukvaldy municipality, Frýdek-Místek District.

Who founded the chapel?

It was founded in 1602 by František Dietrichstein, the Bishop of Olomouc.

To which saints is the chapel dedicated?

The main altar honours Saint Andrew the Apostle, while the side altar is dedicated to Saint Barbara and Saint Rosalia.

Can visitors see the chapel?

The chapel lies within the grounds of Hukvaldy Castle and can be visited as part of a castle visit, drawing particularly large crowds during the annual Saint Andrew pilgrimage.