Church of the Holy Spirit

Church of the Holy Spirit in Broumov is a Baroque chapel-and-hospital complex standing in the southern outskirts of the town, just below the site of Broumov's former lower gate. Together with its flanking hospital wings, the small chapel forms a recognizable landmark on the town's skyline and sits within sight of the nearby Church of St. Wenceslas and the Benedictine monastery.

How old is the site?

The location has served a charitable purpose since at least the early 15th century: the first written record of a hospital here dates to 1407, meaning the institution predates Broumov's town walls. In 1421 it was burned down during a Hussite raid and rebuilt sometime after the mid-15th century. Traces of further construction from around the mid-16th century survive in the complex's cellars, though little else is known about that phase.

When was the current Baroque building built?

The chapel visitors see today dates from 1689, when it was built alongside an adjoining house numbered 65/IV. A second phase of construction came under Abbot Otmar Zinke: in 1735 a further building (no. 66) was added, and the chapel and porch were renovated. That 18th-century campaign gave the complex much of the appearance it retains today.

What does the complex look like?

The layout is symmetrical: a small chapel stands on the central axis, flanked on both sides by the former hospital buildings. Inside, the chapel is covered with segmental vaults. Interiors were modernized at the end of the 19th century, and the facades were repaired twice in the 20th century, in 1964 and 1979 - work that altered some original details. Despite these interventions, the ensemble has kept its Baroque character and remains a distinctive feature of the town's skyline when viewed from the southwest.

Who owns the church, and can it be visited?

For centuries the chapel and its hospital wings belonged to the Benedictine abbey in Broumov. From 2008 the town of Broumov rented the building, using it occasionally for cultural events. The monastery later donated the complex to the town, which is now looking for ways to bring the monument back into regular use and open it more fully to the public. The site is listed as a protected cultural monument.

What else is nearby?

Walking from the Church of the Holy Spirit toward the town centre, visitors pass the Church of St. Wenceslas and the buildings of the Benedictine monastery, one of the region's most significant religious complexes. Broumov itself is known for its unusually dense cluster of churches from different eras and denominations, making it a convenient base for exploring sacred architecture along the Czech-Polish border region.

Frequently asked questions

Is the "Church of the Holy Spirit" the same as the "Hospital of the Holy Spirit"? Yes - the name refers to a combined hospital-and-chapel complex, in which the chapel formed the central, axial element with hospital wings for residents on either side.

Is the building original from the 15th century? Not in its current form. The original 1407 hospital burned down in 1421; the Baroque chapel seen today dates from 1689, with a major rebuilding phase in 1735.

Is the church open to visitors day to day? Access has historically been occasional, tied mainly to cultural events; the town is working to expand public access now that it owns the complex.

Where exactly is the church located in Broumov? In the town's southern outskirts, on the site of the former lower gate, within view of the Church of St. Wenceslas and the monastery complex.