Kaple Nalezení sv. Kříže

The Chapel of the Finding of the Holy Cross is one of two twin, tower-shaped chapels crowning Kalvárie hill (398 m above sea level) above the village of Ostré, right next to the small town of Úštěk in the Ústí nad Labem region. Together with the Chapel of the Elevation of the Holy Cross and a lower, elongated Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher standing between them, it forms a Baroque pilgrimage complex whose twin towers are visible from afar as a distinctive silhouette above the surrounding countryside.

Where does this place come from?

The pilgrimage complex on Kalvárie hill was built between 1704 and 1707 on the initiative of Václav Růžička, captain of a Jesuit estate seated in Liběšice — the Jesuits owned the surrounding land at the time. The architectural design is often attributed to Octavio Broggio, a well-known Baroque builder from nearby Litoměřice, though written sources do not confirm this directly, so it should be treated as local tradition rather than an established fact. The chapel still preserves its high-Baroque character from the early eighteenth century.

What does the chapel and the whole complex look like?

The Chapel of the Finding of the Holy Cross takes the form of a slender, tower-like structure, identical to the Chapel of the Elevation of the Holy Cross standing opposite it. Between the two towers stands a lower, elongated Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher. Together the three buildings form a compact, symmetrical arrangement at the top of the hill, clearly visible from the surrounding roads and from Úštěk itself.

How do you get there?

A pilgrimage path leads up the hill from the village of Ostré, lined with fourteen niche station chapels of the Way of the Cross dating from the Baroque and Classicist periods. Walking this route is the natural way to reach the summit — passing between the stations builds up to the encounter with the main chapel complex. Thanks to its 398-metre elevation, the summit also offers a wide view over the surrounding landscape of the Czech Lake District (České středohoří).

What happens here today?

For decades the complex fell into disrepair, until in 2005 the Society for the Restoration of Úštěk Monuments took over its care, aiming to halt the ongoing deterioration and preserve the site for future generations. In 2011 the Way of the Cross was fully restored, including the painted decoration of its stations. Today, Kalvárie also occasionally hosts cultural events, such as theatre performances staged directly on the steps leading up to the chapels.

Who is this place for?

Kalvárie combines sacred, historical and scenic value — it suits visitors looking for a peaceful viewpoint, fans of Baroque sacred architecture, and anyone wanting to see more of the area than just the town of Úštěk itself. Walking the Way of the Cross works both as a short detour and as a longer, more contemplative outing.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Chapel of the Finding of the Holy Cross located? On Kalvárie hill (398 m above sea level) above the village of Ostré, right next to the town of Úštěk in the Ústí nad Labem region.

When was the pilgrimage complex built? Between 1704 and 1707, founded by Václav Růžička, captain of the Jesuit estate seated in Liběšice.

How does the Chapel of the Finding of the Holy Cross differ from the neighbouring Chapel of the Elevation of the Holy Cross? Both are twin, tower-shaped structures of nearly identical form, standing symmetrically on either side of the lower Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher, together forming a single complex.

Can visitors learn about the history of the Way of the Cross on site? Yes — the route up the hill includes fourteen Baroque and Classicist station chapels, fully restored in 2011, and the whole complex has been cared for since 2005 by a local society dedicated to preserving the monuments of the Úštěk area.