Chapel of Virgin Mary of Sorrows, Beroun

Chapel of Virgin Mary of Sorrows crowns the Průhon hill above Beroun, in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, and forms one of the town's most recognizable landmarks.

Where does the story behind the chapel begin?

The site's history goes back to 1723, when a local shepherd reportedly saw an unknown pilgrim washing a wound at a nearby spring. The figure vanished as suddenly as it had appeared, and word spread among the townspeople that the pilgrim had been Saint Ivan himself. From then on the spring was credited with healing powers, and pilgrims began arriving from across the region hoping to be cured.

Who built the chapel, and why did it later close?

A year later, in 1724, Beroun's dean Jiří František Procházka de Lauro, who administered the parish between 1715 and 1736, had a chapel built beside the spring and an oak cross erected. Stations of the Cross were laid out for the growing number of pilgrims, and from 1733 to 1786 hermits lived beside the chapel and looked after the site and its visitors. That tradition ended in the 1780s, when Emperor Joseph II ordered the closure of monasteries and religious communities that no longer met the conditions for continued operation.

What does the chapel look like today?

Its present neo-Gothic appearance dates from a rebuilding carried out in 1894-1895 to designs by Josef Mocker, an architect best known for restoring Karlštejn Castle. Built from the raw brick typical of Mocker's work, the chapel consists of a vestibule, a nave and a triangular presbytery, with a sacristy attached to one side. On 3 May 1958 it was formally listed as a cultural heritage monument, recognising its historical and architectural value.

How do you get there, and what's the view like?

A blue-marked tourist trail leads to the chapel, starting at Beroun's railway station and running through the town centre toward Průhon hill. Because the chapel sits on one of the highest points in Beroun, it offers a wide view over the town and the valley formed at the confluence of the Berounka and Litavka rivers - a good short walk that combines history with a panoramic reward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this chapel and why was it built here? It's a pilgrimage chapel built in 1724 beside a spring that a 1723 local legend credited with miraculous healing powers.

Who designed the chapel's current appearance? Its neo-Gothic form dates from 1894-1895 and was designed by Josef Mocker, also known for restoring Karlštejn Castle.

How do you reach the chapel from central Beroun? Follow the blue tourist trail, which starts at the railway station and leads through the town centre up to Průhon hill.

Is the walk worth it just for the view? Yes - the chapel stands on one of Beroun's highest points, with views over the whole town and the valley where the Berounka and Litavka rivers meet.