Chapel of Saint Joseph (Čechy pod Košířem)

The Chapel of Saint Joseph stands in Čechy pod Kosířem, a small village in the Prostějov district of Moravia, directly opposite the chateau park, along the road leading to Kostelec na Hané. It's easy to drive past without noticing it, which would be a shame — its shape is genuinely unusual for the region.

What makes this chapel different from a typical wayside shrine?

Most small Moravian chapels are simple, square structures with a single entrance. The Chapel of Saint Joseph breaks that pattern: it has an unconventional triangular ground plan. Its side walls aren't solid — they open through vaulted arcades, so the interior is visible from several angles at once without stepping inside. The facade is decorated with pilasters topped by cornice capitals, giving a small sacred building an almost pavilion-like, representative character. That combination makes it look more like a garden pavilion than a classic roadside chapel, and it's exactly this ambiguity of form that draws in visitors looking for less obvious pieces of sacred architecture.

When was it built, and what has changed inside?

The chapel was built in 1889. Since 1958 it has been listed as a protected cultural monument of the Czech Republic, meaning its structure and architectural details are under heritage protection. Originally, the chapel's centerpiece was a wooden statue of Saint Joseph, the patron after whom it is named. Over time, the original statue was moved elsewhere, and its place was taken by a newer statue of Jesus Christ, which stands in the chapel today. This is a common fate for small sacred buildings in Czechia — the patron's name stays attached to the building, while the original furnishings migrate to museum collections or nearby parish churches.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The chapel's location isn't accidental — it faces the chateau park in Čechy pod Kosířem, making it a natural stop on a walk that combines the chateau grounds with a short pause at a piece of sacred architecture. The village itself sits at the foot of the Kosíř hill, popular with visitors for its views and hiking trails, so the chapel fits easily into a longer outing rather than standing as a separate destination.

Can you look inside the chapel?

Thanks to its open arcades, the chapel's interior is visible from the outside without needing to enter — a feature typical of this kind of small sacred architecture, designed so passersby could pause for a moment of prayer without opening a door.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Chapel of Saint Joseph built? It was built in 1889 and has been a protected cultural monument since 1958.

Why does the chapel have such an unusual shape? It has a triangular ground plan with open arcades on the sides and pilasters topped by cornice capitals — a rare architectural solution among small roadside chapels in the region.

Is the statue of Saint Joseph, after whom the chapel is named, still inside? No — the original wooden statue of the patron saint was moved elsewhere, and a newer statue of Jesus Christ now stands in the chapel.

Where exactly is the chapel located? Opposite the chateau park in Čechy pod Kosířem, along the road toward Kostelec na Hané.