Kaple Nejsvětější Trojice

Kaple Nejsvětější Trojice (Chapel of the Holy Trinity) is a small, today partly ruined sacred building standing on the western edge of Pardubice, in the cadastral area of Svítkov, within a locality known as Svatá Trojice. This part of the city was originally called Přerovsko, but over time it took on the name of the chapel itself — a name that still identifies the area on the city map today.

How did the chapel come to be here?

The story of the site goes back to the end of the 18th century. In 1797, a wooden chapel bearing the same dedication was built next to a spring valued for its healing properties, and a small bathhouse was set up alongside it to make use of the spring water. The chapel was consecrated on October 6, 1797. The site quickly gained local religious significance, and an annual procession was held there, drawing residents from the surrounding villages.

What happened to the original chapel?

The wooden structure stood for several decades. The bathhouse gradually fell into decline, and in 1860 a fire destroyed both the baths and the chapel itself. The local community, however, did not give up on the sacred character of the site — a new brick chapel, built in pseudo-Gothic style, went up almost immediately after the fire. Its construction was carried out by Antonín Mrňávek, a local builder responsible for the reconstruction.

What happened to it afterward?

Throughout the 20th century, the chapel's condition steadily worsened. In 1990 it received a new roof covering, intended to halt the ongoing deterioration, but the decline continued regardless — the building kept falling into disrepair and became overgrown with vegetation. Over time it lost its roof entirely, leaving the walls exposed to the elements.

What is happening to the chapel today?

A turning point came in the early 2020s. In 2020, Pardubice city councillors decided to purchase the remains of the partly demolished chapel from the descendants of its original owners. In March 2021, the city transferred the property, together with the land, to the Omnium association, an organization dedicated to rescuing forgotten and deteriorating historic buildings. Omnium committed to restoring the decaying chapel within ten years of taking it over.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the chapel located? The chapel stands west of the center of Pardubice, in the cadastral area of Svítkov, in a locality called Svatá Trojice — the name of this part of the city comes directly from the chapel.

Can the chapel be visited today? The building has long been in a ruined state, without a roof and partly damaged, so it no longer serves a religious or conventional tourist function — it is more of a destination for enthusiasts of forgotten, picturesque historic sites.

Why was the chapel built in this particular spot? The location was chosen because of a spring believed to have healing properties, next to which the first wooden chapel and an accompanying bathhouse using that water were built in 1797.

Who takes care of the chapel now? Since March 2021, the building has belonged to the Omnium association, which took it over from the city of Pardubice along with a commitment to carry out its restoration within a ten-year period.

Has the chapel been rebuilt before? Yes — after the 1860 fire that destroyed the original wooden chapel and bathhouse, a new brick chapel in pseudo-Gothic style was built almost immediately, designed and constructed by Antonín Mrňávek.