Chapel of Saint Barbara

The Chapel of Saint Barbara stands on a hill above Klobouky u Brna, right next to the town's parish church, at the western edge of this small town in the South Moravian Region. It's a compact pilgrimage building reached by a brick staircase of more than sixty steps — the climb itself is part of what makes a visit memorable.

When was the chapel built?

The chapel dates back to 1669 and was built in the Baroque style. Its floor plan follows the shape of a Greek cross: a single-nave structure with an offset apse and two side chapels, giving the interior an unusually symmetrical layout for a building this size.

What's inside?

The main altar holds a painting of Saint Barbara, patron saint of miners. The walls are covered with frescoes depicting episodes from her life. The two side chapels each carry their own dedication — one to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, the other to Saints Cyril and Methodius — a detail that reflects how much local devotion has shaped this small space over the centuries.

Has the chapel always served a religious purpose?

No. Under the Josephine reforms of Emperor Joseph II the chapel was closed, and from 1786 it was repurposed as a grain storehouse — a common fate for smaller sacred buildings during that period. It wasn't until the middle of the 19th century that the chapel was restored and returned to religious use.

Why is it a pilgrimage site?

The pilgrimage tradition here goes back to the Baroque era. Miners, for whom Saint Barbara is the patron saint, once took part in processions to her chapel wearing their mining uniforms, a custom that tied the site closely to the region's mining identity. Today, pilgrims still gather here every year on Trinity Sunday, keeping the centuries-old tradition alive in a smaller but still active form.

What should visitors know before going?

Because the chapel sits on a hilltop, plan for an uphill walk — the staircase leading up to it is itself part of the scenic approach. This is a quiet, uncrowded spot, more appreciated by those interested in sacred architecture and regional history than by mass tourism. Its coordinates are 48.9948239, 16.8540331.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Chapel of Saint Barbara in Klobouky u Brna built? In 1669, in the Baroque style.

Who are the side chapels dedicated to? One to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, the other to Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Did the chapel always function as a place of worship? No — after being closed under Emperor Joseph II, it served as a grain storehouse from 1786 until it was restored to religious use in the mid-19th century.

When do pilgrimages take place here? Every year on Trinity Sunday, continuing a Baroque-era tradition of miners' pilgrimages to their patron saint.