Chapel of Saint Clara (Troja)

The Chapel of Saint Clare is a small Baroque chapel perched on a vineyard hill above Troja Palace, in the Troja district on the northern edge of Prague.

Who built the chapel above Troja Palace, and why?

The chapel was commissioned by Count Václav Vojtěch of Šternberk, owner of the neighbouring Troja Palace. He first petitioned Prague's archbishopric consistory for permission back in 1691, citing a very practical problem: residents living around his estate were regularly cut off from church by flooding of the Vltava and couldn't reach services. Construction is dated to 1695. The chapel was dedicated to Saint Clare — not at random, but in honour of the count's wife, Klára Bernardina, who shared the saint's name.

What does the chapel look like, and who designed it?

The building follows a simple rectangular floor plan, with a flat ceiling and a small turret topped by a bell. Its modest scale stands in deliberate contrast to the grandeur of the palace nearby, yet both structures likely came from the same creative circle — the Šternberk court employed the architect Jean Baptiste Mathey, who designed Troja Palace itself, and the chapel is generally attributed to him as well.

What happened to the chapel over the centuries?

The building didn't survive unchanged: a fire destroyed much of it in 1924. The subsequent restoration gave it a new roof and a ridge turret with a small sanctus bell. The most recent major repair took place in 1996, leaving the chapel in solid condition today.

How is the chapel connected to Prague's Botanical Garden?

Since 1995, the chapel and the vineyard surrounding it — known as the Vineyard of Saint Clare (Vinice svaté Kláry) — have formed part of the grounds of the Prague Botanical Garden. The vineyard slopes down toward the Vltava valley and offers views back toward the palace; walking among the garden's greenhouses and plant collections eventually leads visitors up to the chapel at the top of the hill.

Are services still held at the chapel?

Yes. The chapel belongs to the parish of the Salesian Youth Centre in Kobylisy, and Sunday Mass is celebrated there. It also takes part in Prague's Night of Churches, when the building opens to visitors outside regular service hours.

How do you get to the Chapel of Saint Clare?

The chapel stands within the Troja Botanical Garden in Prague 7, right next to Troja Palace and Prague Zoo — three sights that fit comfortably into a single day out. The approach follows a path climbing through the vineyard, with views opening up toward the Baroque palace and the bend of the Vltava below.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Chapel of Saint Clare in Troja built? Construction is dated to 1695, though the founder had already begun seeking permission for it in 1691.

Who founded the chapel? Count Václav Vojtěch of Šternberk, owner of Troja Palace, who dedicated it to Saint Clare in honour of his wife, Klára Bernardina.

Was the chapel designed by the same architect as Troja Palace? There's no direct documentary proof, but it's usually attributed to Jean Baptiste Mathey, the Šternberk family's court architect and designer of the palace.

Can the chapel be visited together with the Botanical Garden? Yes — since 1995 the chapel and its surrounding vineyard have been part of the Prague Botanical Garden, making it a natural stop on a walk through the grounds.

Are Masses still held there today? Yes, the chapel belongs to the parish of the Salesian Youth Centre in Kobylisy, and Sunday services are held there.