kaple Nejsvětějšího Srdce Ježíšova (Oblanov) Chapel

Welcome to the village Oblanov. You just stopped in front of the Chapel of the Greatest Heart of Jesus. You're standing in a place where history, faith, and a specific architectural feeling collide. Look around you and feel the atmosphere of this place. In front of you is a building that, despite its compact size, is very dignified and gives you a sense of peace and grandeur. Its neo-gothic appearance immediately transmits you into an era where architecture sought to return to the spiritual roots of the past. Feel the harmony between the shapes and material that now surrounds you.

Let us now move further into time and understand why this chapel is standing here. This sacral building was built in 1906. This was the time when history ruled in architecture, a direction which with great enthusiasm drew shapes and elements from past epoch. At that time the flowering of these styles was very pronounced and the chapel in Oblanov is a beautiful example of this trend. It was built as a place of prayer and spiritual support for the locals, as a symbol of faith in a time that quickly changed. Although time passed and the world around it changed, this chapel remained a fixed point in the landscape.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself and look at the details that are right in front of your eyes. Notice how the building is built. It's a single-storey object, which means the inner space is one main ship. If you look at the material, you'll see that the chapel is built from bricks. Its characteristic feature is the unwashed masonry. This roughness of brick walls gives the building an authentic and honest look, which nowadays looks very interesting and modern at the same time. There is no layer of plaster to cover the true essence of the material, and it is this visible structure that is one of the most important elements that you should now observe.

Raise your eyes towards the main entrance. A four-sided sandbox-type turret rises above the front. This turret is not only a decorative element, but it has a deep tradition. In the past, similar turrets were used to place a bell that announced the presence of a sacred moment during worship. Also look at the back of the building. The chapel is finished with a triangular conclusion, which is a typical element that gives the building its specific, slightly duplicated and upward character. This whole composition, from brick walls to turret, creates a complete neo-gothic whole.

If you choose to enter the inner chapel, prepare for an interesting contrast. While the outer mantle of the building is strictly neo-gothic and crude, the interior can surprise you in a different style. The inner space is decorated with an altar, which is created in baroque sculptures. This contrast between the neo-gothic structure and the Baroque aesthetics of the altar creates an interesting dynamic in space. In the middle of this altar there is a Marian painting, which is the spiritual center of the interior. This painting and Baroque style of the altar provide space for playfulness and richness, which in contrast to the brick wall creates a very powerful visual experience.

The history of this chapel is not only about its origin, but also about its constant restoration. Although the chapel is not officially protected as a monument, its importance to the local community and its historical value are undeniable. That is why it has recently undergone a major transformation. In 2016 and 2017, a complex and fundamental reconstruction took place at the building, which ensured that the building could serve other generations. The year 2018 followed, which was very important for the chapel. This year, the mobiliary was restored, returning its original beauty to the inner space. In addition, the chapel received a new consecration and a new tower with a bell was installed in it, which can now again announce important moments.

Looking at the history of this place and the people who connect with it, names like Ján Kubis appear in memory, which shows the broader context that this place may have within the region. The chapel is not just a building, it is a witness of time that survived the early 1920s, the two world wars and the period of the greatest social change.

You may find this interesting: although the chapel at first sight appears to be very simple due to its unwavering masonry, it was this simplicity at the time of its construction in 1906 that was a deliberate aesthetic decision. At the time, architects sought beauty in the truthfulness of materials and in the way light hits uneven surfaces of bricks. This chapel is not only a building but also a manifesto of the artistic perception of the world.

Now that you have already become acquainted with the main features of the Chapel of the Biggest Heart of Jesus, I recommend that you look at the chapel space in peace. Enter, perceive silence and look carefully at the Baroque altar and Marian painting. Let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere this place creates. Thank you for stopping by and paying attention to this historic monument. We wish you a pleasant rest of your trip and other beautiful experiences while exploring the surroundings. Goodbye.