Chapel of St John the Baptist, Trutnov

The Chapel of St John the Baptist, known locally as Janská kaple, sits atop Jánský vrch (St John's Hill), overlooking the town of Trutnov in the Podkrkonoší region of northeastern Czechia. This small Baroque chapel has outlived fires, wars and changes of regime over more than three centuries, and today houses a modest military museum.

Who built the chapel, and when?

The chapel was founded in 1712 by Moric Dreyschock, a burgher of Trutnov, and dedicated to St John the Baptist. Built in the Baroque style on the hilltop above the town, it was consecrated a few years after construction began. Soon after it was built, a hermit settled beside the chapel to look after it and a spring below it that was regarded as miraculous, building himself a hermitage on the spot.

What setbacks did the chapel go through?

The chapel's history has been anything but calm. A fire in 1745 seriously damaged both the chapel and the hermit's dwelling. It was rebuilt, only to be destroyed later by soldiers. Another blow came in 1782, when Emperor Joseph II's reforms led to the chapel being deconsecrated and sold into private ownership. It was not reopened and reconsecrated as a place of worship until 1811, through the efforts of the local dean.

What happened here in 1866?

The most dramatic chapter in the chapel's history unfolded during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. Jánský vrch became a battlefield in the Battle of Trutnov, as roughly 1,100 Prussian soldiers stormed the hill trying to break the resistance of Austrian troops sheltering inside the chapel itself. Some years later, between 1879 and 1880, the ground around the chapel was turned into a military cemetery tied to the battle's casualties, created after monuments from a demolished town cemetery were relocated there.

What can visitors see at the chapel today?

The former Janská kaple now houses a small military museum focused mainly on the 1866 Battle of Trutnov. It's a modest but distinctive stop — a Baroque chapel that, instead of hosting services, now displays relics from one of the battles of the Austro-Prussian War. The hilltop location also gives visitors a view over the surrounding Podkrkonoší countryside, making it a popular short detour for anyone walking around Trutnov.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Chapel of St John the Baptist located? On Jánský vrch, a hill above the town of Trutnov in northeastern Czechia.

When was the chapel built? It was founded in 1712 by Moric Dreyschock, a burgher of Trutnov.

Why was the chapel closed in the 18th century? In 1782, under Emperor Joseph II's reforms, it was deconsecrated and sold privately; it reopened as a church in 1811.

What historical event is the chapel linked to? The 1866 Battle of Trutnov during the Austro-Prussian War, when Austrian troops took shelter inside it.

What is inside the chapel today? A small military museum dedicated to the fighting that took place there.