kaple Panny Marie Bolestné (Zlíchov) Chapel
On the Zlíchov road between Zlíchov and Little Chuchli, in the places of the now extinct village Křenkov, stands a small round chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary the Painful. Despite its small size it is a construction with an unusual history, deeply tied to the stone quarry and its past.
The beginnings of the construction dates back to 1742, when the French troops built in the quarry south of Zlíchov's money factory during the siege of Prague. After the war, the workers used space here as a warehouse of building materials. In 1847 it was converted into a chapel by a quarry owner named Herget. Tradition claims that he dedicated it to the memory of his daughter, Mary, who was a disaster at the quarry. According to another version of the chapel, Marie Herget herself - the daughter of the owner - built in memory of the workers who died in these stones.
In the early 20th century, the chapel took care of the Prague Emmauz Benefits and modified it in Beuron style. In 1903 the chapel was reconsecrated. Since the 1950s, it's been decaying. Today he is not in church property and is not subject to attempts at restitution.
It is an architectural construction on a circular plan with an apside, where right-angled risalite forms the entrance. The shield is decorated with a mosaic monogram of Christ - Alpha and Omega - with the inscription "AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA." The chapel is covered with a brick dome with no cover. The interior illuminates the segmented window under which the walled altar stands. The space is surrounded by simple brick seating.
The interior decoration from Czech painter and mosaic Victor Foerster is most valuable. On the walls and ceiling are the remains of ornamental painting with central cross and Latin text from the plaintiff's Song (1,12): "O vos omnes, qui transitis per viam, attendite et vidte, si est dolor sicut dolor meus" - "All of you who go by, behold and see what pain is like my pain." These words contain the history of the tragedy of the quarry with the spiritual sense of the place.
In August 2019, there was a brigade at the chapel during which volunteers cleaned the area and carved away the timber. The chapel remains a quiet place under the Barrando rocks, a witness of centuries when war, mining and prayer took place.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- 1742
- The position of the money factory by French troops during the siege of Prague.
- 1847
- Rebuilding into a chapel, probably in memory of the daughter of the quarry owner or workers who died in the quarry.
- 1900
- Modifications of the Emmauz Benedict Chapel in Beuron style.
- 1903
- The chapel was reconsecrated after the modifications.
Architectural development
The original building from 1742 was used as a money factory and warehouse of material. In the 19th century it was converted into a chapel with a circular plan and an apside. In 1900 there were significant modifications in Beuron style, which included new interior decoration. The building is covered with a brick dome without covering and the exterior facade is decorated with a mosaic monogram of Christ and Latin inscriptions.
Historical events
1742 - The position of the money factory by French troops during the siege of Prague.
1847 - Rebuilding into a chapel, probably in memory of the daughter of the owner of the quarry or workers who died in the quarry.
1900 - Modifications of the Emmauz chapel in Beuron style.
2019 - Brigade to clean the area of the chapel and to remove the funnel trees.
Points of interest
- The chapel was built in 1742 as a moneymaking of French troops during the siege of Prague.
In 1847, Herget's quarry owner turned it into a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Pain, probably in memory of his daughter Mary, who died here.
- The interior of the chapel adorns the remains of an ornamental painting with a Latin text from the plaintiff's song associated with the tragedy of the quarry.
- In 1903, the chapel was modified by the Emmauz Benefits in Beuron style and reconsecrated.
- In August 2019, volunteers performed a brigade to clean up the area and remove the funnel trees.
Guide
This guide is narrated by a synthetic voice generated by artificial intelligence.
Show guide text
This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows stands in the southeastern part of Prague's Hlubočepy, beneath the Barrandov cliffs. You'll find it near Zbraslavská Road between Zlíchov and Malá Chuchle, in the area where the now-disappeared settlement of Křenkov once lay.
Originally it was not a chapel at all. In seventeen forty-two, during the siege of Prague, French troops built a powder mill in a quarry south of Zlíchov. Later, quarry workers used it as a material storage facility. In eighteen forty-seven, the quarry owner Herget had the structure converted into a chapel. According to one version, he did this in memory of his daughter Marie, who suffered an accident in one of the quarries. According to another version, Marie Hergetová herself had the chapel built, in memory of workers who died in the quarry.
After nineteen hundred, Benedictine monks from the Prague monastery Emauzy renovated the chapel in the Beuron style, and in nineteen-oh-three it was consecrated anew. The decoration comes from Czech painter and mosaicist Viktor Foerster. Since the nineteen-fifties, however, the building has been deteriorating. The chapel does not belong to the Church, so it was not subject to Church restitution. In August twenty-nineteen, a volunteer work day was held there. Participants cleaned the surroundings and cut down the overgrown vegetation.
It is a small structure with a circular floor plan and an apse. The entrance is located in a rectangular projection of the façade. Its small gable is decorated with a mosaic monogram of Christ, the letters Alpha and Omega, and the Latin inscription Ave Maria gratia plena, which means Hail Mary, full of grace. The chapel is covered by a brick dome without roofing.
Inside, opposite the entrance, is a window with a segmental arch and beneath it a brick altar. On the walls and ceiling remain fragments of ornamental wall painting with a cross in the center. All around runs a Latin inscription, a verse from the biblical Book of Lamentations. In Czech it reads as follows: You all who pass by, behold and see, if there is any sorrow like my sorrow. These words correspond to the dedication of the chapel to Our Lady of Sorrows.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
Religious buildings are usually open mainly during services; at other times a visit is normally arranged with the parish or the operator. We have not verified specific times. According to the heritage register the structure is in poor condition – do not enter it and take care nearby.
Where is the monument?
Location: Zbraslavská, Hlubočepy, Praha, Hlavní město Praha. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic as a cultural monument (register no. 40281/1-1349).
For kids
Imagine going back to when Praha was still young and didn't know as many historical monuments as it did today. You can look at the place where the Chapel of Our Lady of Pain is now standing in Prague, 5-Deep Cups.
It was like a game when people lived there. Osada Køenkov was small and closed, but full of life and joy. Parents tried to feed their families, kids played on the street, and young people approached love. But then came the time when the settlement disappeared.
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Events nearby
Zdroj akcí: otevřená data měst a obcí ČR (Národní katalog otevřených dat) a kalendář akcí Národního památkového ústavu.
Nearby
Barrando rocks that are located near the chapel and form a dominant area.
The Weapon Road, which leads directly to the chapel and connects Zlichov with Little Chuchli.
The extinct village of Køenkov, which was located in the places where the chapel stands.
Natural reservation of Barrandov rock, located in the vicinity.
Accommodation nearby
Trips and activities nearby
Guided tours, tickets and activities nearby from GetYourGuide
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Search tours and activities →Themed route
Thematic cruise route: Chapel of the Virgin Mary Painful and Secrets of Zlichov
1. Chapel of Our Lady of Pain (Zlichov) * Type: Pilgrimage Chapel * The small Baroque chapel from the 18th century stands in the place of the extinct Køenkov, a settlement that once prospered here. Its location at the Barrando rocks and its connection to the legend of miraculous healing attracts pilgrims and lovers of history.
2. Barrando Rocks * Type: Natural reservation * Air limestone formations that dominate the surroundings are a unique geological phenomenon. The Barrandov Rock reservation offers short but picturesque trails with views of the chapel and surrounding landscape.
3. Weaponry road (section Zlichov- Little Chuchle) * Type: Historical communication * This old road, leading right around the chapel, connected once important villages. Today it is ideal for a walk with views of Barrandov rocks and surrounding Poland landscape.
4. Vanished village of Køenkov * Type: Archaeological landmark * The village of Køenkov, mentioned in the 14th century, used to stand at the site of the chapel. The remnants of the waves and landscapes resemble its past - ideal for a short tour into history.
* The route is circular, approximately 3-4 km long, suitable for walking trip with historical-natural focus. *
Seasonal recommendations
Spring: In the spring of the Chapel of Our Lady of Pain in Hlubočpa offers visitors a unique view of flowering gardens that intersect with historical walls. The sun illuminates the chapel in fine light, which contributes to a quiet and meditative atmosphere. For a visit it is advisable to choose a colder day because the weather can still be persistent. Days are usually mildly visited, so there is no need to worry about overcrowding. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothes suitable for a cold day.
Summer: Summer in the Chapel of Our Lady of Pain brings long days with living sunlight, which highlights every architectural detail. The chapel becomes a popular place to relax in green and enjoy a quiet moment in the middle of the day. Because of popularity, it is better to come just after opening to avoid larger crowds. Thanks to the warm weather we recommend to wear light and light clothes and not to miss the sun cream.
Autumn: In the autumn months the chapel gains melancholic beauty when leaves fall from trees and surround historical construction. The sun sets early, creating a calm atmosphere suitable for silence. This period is less visited, so you can look forward to a slight number of visitors. It is advisable to be prepared for colder temperatures and wear clothes that protect against moisture.
Winter: Winter visit to the chapel of Our Lady of Pain offers a completely different atmosphere. Sun rays falling on snow covered terrain create views that are full of peace and quiet. It is recommended to wear warm clothes, including hat and gloves, and to take into account possible delays due to weather.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
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Sources and literature
Photos: ŠJů (cs:ŠJů) / CC BY-SA 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
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