Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul

The Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul stands on the edge of Bílý Kámen, a small village in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands within the Jihlava district, and serves as the settlement's most recognisable landmark. Built in the Baroque style at the end of the 18th century, the chapel has long acted as the visual symbol of the village, its distinctive tower visible from a distance.

How do you get to the chapel in Bílý Kámen?

Bílý Kámen lies in the Vysočina region, close to the city of Jihlava, which makes it an easy addition to a day trip through the area. The chapel occupies a central spot in the village, so the most practical way to reach it is by car or bicycle, using the local roads that connect Bílý Kámen with neighbouring settlements in the Jihlava district. Given the village's small size, there is no dedicated tourist infrastructure here — the chapel itself functions as the main point of orientation when arriving in Bílý Kámen.

What can you see at the chapel?

The chapel was built on a square ground plan with rounded corners, a layout typical of small Baroque sacred architecture that softens the overall silhouette compared to a plain rectangular footprint. Inside, the space is covered by a barrel vault with lunettes — the semicircular vault recesses above the windows that let extra light into the interior. The building is topped with a steep metal roof, crowned by a small four-sided turret bearing an onion-shaped dome, a lantern and a cross — the detail that makes the chapel easy to spot even from far away.

For many years the building was maintained without a coherent conservation approach. The interior suffered from persistent dampness, while the exterior facade had been covered with cement render that did not match the chapel's original historic character; the roof had already been replaced with sheet metal long before. As a result, the chapel underwent a comprehensive restoration carried out under the supervision of the National Heritage Institute (Národní památkový ústav), its Telč branch, aimed at restoring the building's original appearance and protecting it from further deterioration.

When is the best time to visit?

Because Bílý Kámen is a very small village and the chapel does not keep the fixed opening hours typical of larger monuments, it is best visited as part of a longer trip through the Vysočina region, combined with a stop in Jihlava and the surrounding villages. Spring and summer are the most rewarding seasons, as they let visitors appreciate the chapel's shape against the green landscape of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Since this is a modest rural chapel, visitors should expect that access to the interior may be limited, and viewing the exterior remains the most reliable option.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul located? The chapel stands in the village of Bílý Kámen, in the Jihlava district, Vysočina region, Czech Republic.

How old is the chapel? It was built at the end of the 18th century in the Baroque style.

What is the chapel's most distinctive architectural feature? Its small four-sided turret with an onion dome and a cross, topping a steep metal roof, combined with the square floor plan with rounded corners.

Has the chapel been restored? Yes. After years of neglect and improper upkeep, it underwent a comprehensive restoration overseen by the National Heritage Institute's Telč branch, aimed at bringing back its original historic character.