Church of Saint Barbara

The Chapel of St. Barbara stands in Bakov nad Jizerou, in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, a short walk from the town's railway station, on the grounds of a former cemetery. Locals often call it a "church" because of its size, but it is officially a chapel — a small, single-nave building reached through an ornate Renaissance gate.

How old is the chapel and where does its dedication come from?

The building dates back to the early 16th century and was originally built in the late Gothic style. It first served as a parish church, and later, during the Reformation, it became a meeting place for the Unity of the Brethren, a religious community with deep roots in this part of Bohemia. After confessional changes swept through the region, the building returned to Catholic use and took on the dedication to St. Barbara, patron saint of miners and of a peaceful death — a common choice for cemetery chapels of the period.

What has changed over the centuries?

The first documented restoration took place in 1614. A far more significant rebuilding followed at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries: between 1701 and 1702, builder M. Raimondi gave the chapel its present Baroque appearance, including the tablet gable on the facade dated 1701. The structure is rectangular and single-naved, closed by a polygonal presbytery. The nave has a flat ceiling, while the presbytery is covered by a barrel vault. The facades remain plain, with round-arched windows as the main decorative feature. Further repairs followed in 1817 and 1920.

What can visitors see inside and around the chapel?

The main altar is a sculptural composition depicting St. Barbara, St. Ludmila, St. Mary Magdalene, and a crucifix, created by J. Jelínek of nearby Kosmonosy in 1743. The chapel is entered through a Renaissance gate shaped as an aedicule with half-columns, topped by a triangular gable bearing an inscription and relief decoration — one of the most distinctive elements of the whole complex. Around the chapel, the former cemetery survives with six Classicist gravestones from the 19th century; the stones are in varying condition, some considerably worn, but still legible.

Is the chapel a protected monument?

Yes. The Chapel of St. Barbara, together with its entrance gate, the surrounding wall, and a small niche chapel with a crucifix, is listed as a protected cultural monument.

Frequently asked questions

Is it a church or a chapel? Formally, it is a cemetery chapel, though its size means locals commonly refer to it as a church.

Who is it dedicated to? St. Barbara — hence the common name "Chapel of St. Barbara."

How far is it from the train station? The chapel sits close to the Bakov nad Jizerou railway station, along the road leading toward it.

What is the most valuable feature inside? The 1743 Baroque main altar depicting St. Barbara, St. Ludmila, and St. Mary Magdalene, created by J. Jelínek of Kosmonosy, along with the Renaissance entrance gate.

Is there a cemetery nearby? Yes, a former cemetery surrounds the chapel, with six surviving 19th-century Classicist gravestones.