Chapel of Saint Elisabeth

The Chapel of Saint Elisabeth stands right in the heart of the Czech spa town of Luhačovice, next to the colonnade, and is the oldest surviving building of the entire spa complex. This small Baroque chapel dates back to 1795 and remains one of the town's enduring landmarks.

Who built the chapel, and when?

The chapel was commissioned by Alžběta Serényiová, who at the time owned the Luhačovice baths, as a place of worship for patients undergoing treatment at the spa. Construction was completed in 1795, and the building was consecrated on 24 June that year by Jan Nepomuk Serényi, a metropolitan canon from Olomouc — a detail that points to the close ties between the founder and the Serényi family, who held Luhačovice at the time.

What does the chapel look like?

The chapel is a modest Baroque structure. Its façade bears the coat of arms of the Serényi family, a visible trace of who stood behind its construction. A small bell tower rises above the building.

Why does the bell matter?

For generations, the bell in the chapel's tower marked the rhythm of spa life: its toll announced the start and end of the daily treatment schedule for patients. The bell heard today, however, is not the original. A new bell — 320 mm in diameter and weighing 23.5 kg — was cast at the workshop of Leticia Vránová-Dytrichová. It cost 35,000 CZK, of which 30,000 CZK came from a grant by the town of Luhačovice. The new bell was solemnly blessed on 7 July 2013, during the annual Luhačovice pilgrimage.

What is the chapel's status today?

The Chapel of Saint Elisabeth is listed as an immovable cultural monument of the Czech Republic. As the oldest building of the spa centre, it predates most of the resort architecture visitors see in Luhačovice today and stands as a direct link to the spa's earliest history.

Where exactly is it located?

The chapel sits in the centre of Luhačovice, directly next to the colonnade — one of the resort's most recognisable landmarks. Anyone walking the main spa promenade is likely to pass it.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the chapel dedicated to? Saint Elisabeth, whose name it has carried since its consecration in 1795.

Who founded the chapel? Alžběta Serényiová, owner of the Luhačovice baths in the late 18th century.

Is it the oldest building in Luhačovice? It is the oldest surviving building of the spa complex, though not necessarily of the entire town.

Is the chapel a protected monument? Yes, it is listed as an immovable cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Is the bell in the tower original? No — the current bell dates from 2013 and replaced an earlier one.