Harrachovská hrobka v Horní Branné Tomb

Welcome to Upper Branne. You are now facing one of the most important and most precious building units in the entire region. Before you go any further, stop for a moment and feel the atmosphere of this place. Before your eyes is the chapel of the Holy Cross, which serves as the tomb of the great nobleman House of Harrachs. At first sight, you must be interested in its unusual appearance and colors, which are so harmonious and at the same time noble. Feel the beauty that comes from a combination of materials used here. The facade of the chapel is not monotonous, but it consists of alternating blocks of red and white sandstone. This color contrast creates a rhythm that leads your view across the entire area of the building and gives it dynamics, even if it is a place for quiet rest and memories.

Let us now look together deeper into the history that shaped this place. This chapel is not just a random stellar work, but a result of long-term efforts and visions of one particular family. The whole construction started in 1840 and lasted several decades until it was completed in 1870. The main initiator of this magnificent project was František Arnošt z Harrachu. His intention was to create a dignified place that would forever preserve the memory of his family. The whole construction process was accompanied by an effort for perfection, which is also evident from how long the implementation lasted. Later, in 1875, there was another important event, when the remains of members of the House of Harrach were moved to this tomb from the former chapel of St. Alois. This definitely became the heart of family memory.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself, because what you see is absolutely exceptional. The chapel was built in a pseudo-Romanesque style, which means that its appearance refers to ancient, solid and spiritual shapes that give us a sense of stability and eternity. The architect of the whole work was Jiří Kašpar, a man who was able to combine the demanding demands of the noble family with artistic elegance. If you look at the overall geometry of the building now, you may not realize its greatest mystery. This chapel has a unique shape of two concentrated octagonal. This architectural element is unique throughout the northern Bohemia. Imagine the mathematical precision and harmony where one octagonal is inserted into another, creating a space that acts as the center of the universe or a place where the earthly world meets the celestial one.

When you decide to enter, prepare yourself for an experience that completely distinguishes you from the outside. While the sandstone dominated outside, the inner space is brought forth with immense wealth. Notice the walls that are lined with black marble plates. This dark, deep material creates a strong contrast to what you see in them. Because these plates are decorated in gold. This contrast of black and gold is not random; It is meant to create a sense of grandeur and to remind you of the unshakable value of human life and family tradition. The inner space of the chapel is not just an ordinary room, but a ceremonial hall which is intended for the most serious moments.

But the history of this place is not just a story about architecture and nobility. It's also a story about human weaknesses and drama that took place in the silence of these walls. Even such a sacred and protected place was not immune to crimes. In 1925, the chapel was the target of the first robbery. At that time, the robbers woke up inside the tomb and stole three brass candlesticks and chandeliers, which at that time represented a great loss not only material but also spiritual. This event left a shadow in the memory of the place. Unfortunately, human greed has not given way. In 1934, the robbers tried to rob again, which shows how much this place lured its treasures. These events add some dark mystery to the tomb and remind us that history is composed not only of light but also of shadows.

Even after these difficult times, the chapel has come to terms with time and fate. After a period of uncertain years, the first major reconstruction took place in 1975, which was secured at the expense of Svazarm. This renewal helped preserve this precious monument for future generations and ensured that its architecture and details would not be lost in the dust of oblivion. Thanks to this, we can look forward to seeing the same shapes and colors that people saw over a century ago.

When you look at the chapel, try to perceive not only what you can see at first sight, but also what is hidden in the details. Feel the weight of history that radiates from every stone. Imagine the moments when the rites took place here in silence, and the moments when the robbers moved here at night. This tomb is a living witness to ups and downs, human faith and human greed. It's where the mathematics of the octagonal meets the emotions of the human heart.

I hope that this short journey through the history of Harracha and their tombs has moved you and helped you better understand the importance of this place. Let yourself be inspired by the beauty of Upper Branné and continue to explore the surroundings. Every stone in this city has a story, but this Holy Cross story is one of the most important. Thank you for your attention and we will wait you out on the next trip through history. Goodbye.