Chapel of Virgin Mary

The Chapel of the Virgin Mary at Šipín, a pilgrimage site within the municipality of Konstantinovy Lázně in western Bohemia, is a small wooden church dating from 1892. It stands on a steep slope descending toward the Útský stream, just below the ruins of an old hillfort, and has drawn visitors seeking healing at its adjoining spring for generations.

Why did Šipín become a pilgrimage destination?

The story of this hillside predates the chapel itself. From the second half of the 18th century onward, the area began attracting pilgrims because of a spring flowing along the switchback road below the hill. Local tradition credited its water with the power to cure eye ailments, and the spring's growing reputation turned Šipín into a lasting fixture on the map of Marian devotion in this part of Bohemia. Pilgrims brought offerings and valuable gifts to the modest chapel that originally stood here, in gratitude for graces received.

Where did the current building come from?

The original small chapel eventually could no longer keep up with the growing number of pilgrims. In 1892, Prince Konstantin von Löwenstein had it replaced with the wooden chapel that still stands today. The Löwenstein family, owners of the surrounding estates, also gave the nearby spa town of Konstantinovy Lázně its name.

What does the chapel look like?

The design is deliberately plain: a log structure built from heavy timber, roofed with wooden shingles and topped by a small bell turret. This modest style, typical of rural sacred architecture in the region, sits naturally within the forested slope. On either side of the chapel stand wooden enclosures protecting the springs rising from the ground — it was these springs, not the chapel itself, that first drew people to the site.

What is kept inside?

Two crutches are still preserved inside the chapel. According to local tradition, they were left behind by a pilgrim who, after visiting the site, was freed from pain and no longer needed them to walk. That small, tangible token of gratitude captures the character of Šipín better than any description — a place where faith, a healing legend, and unpretentious folk architecture come together.

What should visitors know before going?

The chapel sits along a path leading down from the old hillfort through the forest, making it a natural stop for anyone hiking the area around Konstantinovy Lázně. It is a quiet, low-key site, quite different from a polished tourist attraction — its appeal lies in its history and atmosphere rather than any visitor infrastructure.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Chapel of the Virgin Mary located? On the slope of Šipín descending toward the Útský stream, along the switchbacks of the road below the old hillfort, within the municipality of Konstantinovy Lázně.

Who built the chapel that stands there today, and when? The wooden chapel seen today was commissioned in 1892 by Prince Konstantin von Löwenstein, replacing an older, more modest structure.

Why is Šipín considered a pilgrimage site? Since the second half of the 18th century, a nearby spring believed to cure eye ailments drew pilgrims to the area — the spring, rather than the chapel itself, started the tradition.

What can be seen inside the chapel? Two crutches are kept there, said by local tradition to have been left by a pilgrim who was healed of chronic pain during a visit.