Chapel of Saint Bartholomew

The Chapel of Saint Bartholomew is a small sacred building standing at the heart of Hrušky, a village in South Moravia between Břeclav and Hodonín. It looks modest from the outside, but it's one of the oldest and most recognizable landmarks in the village, with a history that goes back to the 19th century.

Where exactly is the chapel located?

Hrušky lies in the Břeclav district, roughly 8 km from Břeclav and 12 km from Hodonín. The chapel sits right in the village center, which is typical for Moravian villages, where the local place of worship doubles as an orientation point and a natural hub of community life. Administratively, the chapel belongs to the Roman Catholic parish of Moravská Nová Ves, a neighboring village.

When was it built, and in what style?

The building dates from 1861 and was constructed in the Neo-Gothic style. Its architecture is deliberately plain, without ornamentation — a nod to the humility of its patron saint, Bartholomew, an apostle remembered for poverty and an austere way of life. The chapel's footprint is small and its details restrained, setting it apart from the larger, more elaborate parish churches found elsewhere in the region.

What's worth seeing inside?

The interior features stained-glass windows from the first half of the 20th century — considerably younger than the building itself, which suggests the chapel was refurbished and re-equipped at some point after its construction. The real curiosity, though, is the bell, cast in 1683 by bell-founder Václav Malý. It carries a Czech inscription and predates the current building by nearly two centuries, most likely having survived from an earlier, perhaps wooden or smaller, chapel that once stood on the same spot.

How does the chapel fit into the village's religious landscape?

Hrušky has a rich tradition of sacred folk art. Besides the chapel itself, the village and its surroundings hold several statues and sculptures from the late 19th century — depicting Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary, Saint Anne, the Holy Trinity, Saint John of Nepomuk, Saint Michael, along with several wayside crosses. The Chapel of Saint Bartholomew is therefore part of a broader ensemble of small sacred architecture, characteristic of Moravian villages in this part of the country.

Was the chapel damaged in the 2021 tornado?

Hrušky and the surrounding villages were hit hard by a tornado that swept through the region on 24 June 2021, destroying numerous buildings nearby. The chapel suffered roof damage at the time, and part of its tower structure was affected by the storm. Repairs to sacred buildings across the region continued for years after the disaster.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors go inside the chapel? As an active parish building, it's typically opened for services and church holidays — checking the parish's local announcements beforehand is a good idea if you want to see the interior.

What's the oldest item inside? By far the bell from 1683, cast by bell-founder Václav Malý — nearly two centuries older than the chapel building itself.

Which parish does the chapel belong to? The Roman Catholic parish of Moravská Nová Ves, the village next to Hrušky.

Is it worth combining a visit with other sights in the village? Yes — within walking distance of the chapel are several 19th-century wayside shrines and statues, which together form a coherent trail of small sacred architecture typical of South Moravia.