kaple Božího hrobu (Votice) Stopping the crossing path

The chapel of God's tomb in Votice is a historically valuable building built according to the drawings and dimensions of the original chapel in Jerusalem, making it unique among many similar monuments in the Czech Republic. It is located in Votice in Benesov district and is part of the Franciscan monastery in the local cemetery. This chapel was declared a cultural monument in 1965, highlighting its historical and cultural importance.

The history of the chapel dates back to the mid-17th century, when its construction was initiated around 1658 by the sister of Count Ferdinand František of Vrtba, Marie František. To imitate the original chapel of God's tomb in Jerusalem, Marie František sent two Franciscan to the Holy Land to bring precise drawings and dimensions. Although it is not known exactly how long the journey took, the construction itself was started in 1685 and consecrated on 13 April 1689 by the Sedan Dean Jiří Konrad Genelius. Marie František also established that a mass will be served every year for her work.

The chapel of God's tomb in Votice is built from granite blocks and has an elongated shape. On the roof stands a six-sided dome, carried in every corner by two stone columns with rough leaf heads. All 12 columns are reinforced with iron rods upstairs. The chapel was once painted, but the original form of the paintings is no longer known even to the oldest inhabitants of Votice.

Over the centuries the chapel has undergone several repairs and restaurants. The first major adjustment was recorded in 1852, when reconsecration was necessary due to the changes made. At the turn of the 1960s and 1970s, a thorough repair took place during which damaged parts, including the entire dome and ten of the twelve columns, were exchanged. Between 1994- 1996 there was another extensive repair which included a restoration survey of the remains of Baroque paintings and the inner inventory of the chapel. After this stage, an external surface inspection was carried out to prevent leakage of water between stone blocks.

The chapel of God's tomb in Votice is now available to visitors and is worth visiting not only from historical but also from an aesthetic point of view. Its uniqueness is that it exactly imitates the original chapel of God's tomb in Jerusalem and is a witness of the Baroque period in Central Europe. Visiting this monument means not only exploring its architectural details, but also immersing yourself in the history and culture of past times.

The chapel of God's tomb in Votice is a reminder of the thorough work and dedication of individuals from the past. Its preservation and restoration are proof of how important cultural monuments can be to understand the history and culture of our country. Visiting this chapel is an opportunity to appreciate the art and architecture of past times as well as to realize the importance of historical care for the preservation of historical heritage.