Kaple Stětí svatého Jana Křtitele Chapel

Welcome to the old days. Right now, you're facing one of the most beautiful gems in this country. In front of you is the chapel of St. John the Baptist. It's a place where spiritual peace joins with an amazing view of the surrounding countryside. Notice how dominant this building shines at the top of the hill, in close proximity to the Svatoclas vineyard. It is the first impression that most of the visitors are astonished because the chapel is easy and yet noble.

Now let's stop a little bit at how this building came into being. The chapel was built in the year seven hundred thirty-five. At that time, in our countries, the barroc culminated, which placed great emphasis on emotions, dynamics and the game of light and shadow. Although today we do not know exactly who was the author of the architectural plan, it is clear that the builders wanted to create something special. The chapel was not only an ordinary place of prayer, but was meant to be a visible sign of faith even from a long distance, confirming its strategic location on the hill.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself. Look at the shape of the building. It's not an ordinary rectangle, but an octave building. This shape is typical of baroque centralized buildings because it allows visitors to perceive space from different angles and creates a sense of harmony. The chapel reaches a height of approximately twelve metres, which gives it some monumentality, although it is relatively small in absolute terms.

Look up now. Your eyes will lead to the Mansard roof, which ends with an onion lid. Note that the roof is copper, which gives it the typical feel that we know from many historical centers of our cities. It's a detail that the chapel gives its unmistakable character. And while you're looking up, focus your view of the area above the main entrance. In the end, in such a decorative arch, you will find the statue of St. John the Baptist, who is the patron saint of this place.

If you look closer at the walls, notice the pilasters. They're sort of glued columns that decorate the facade. Their endings are Tuscan warheads. It is a very clean and elegant style that gives stability and softness to the building. This whole look is protected as a cultural monument, which means that the state recognises its great value for our history and culture.

Now let's move on to what's inside. Even though the chapel appears soft from the outside, its inner space is a true triumph of baroque art. The interior is richly decorated. The main jewel is frescoes and illusory paintings. These are images that are drawn so skillfully that they create an impression of depth and space that actually doesn't exist. It's a so-called illusion of the eye.

This amazing decoration was created in the year of tyre seven hundred seventy and the author was Josef Kramolín. He was a master of his craft who could transform walls and arches into open skies full of symbols and figures. The work of Josef Kramolín in this chapel is one of the peaks of the painting at the time. It is a fascinating idea that in this small space architecture meets painting so perfectly that together it evokes a sense of infinity.

The history of the chapel was not only about creation, but also about care and repairs. Over the centuries, the building required maintenance to be preserved in such good condition. The first major repair took place in the year of eight hundred and twenty. There was another major renovation in eight hundred and eighty-two to eighty-three. These interventions were necessary to prevent material from falling apart due to weather, because the location on the hill means that the building is exposed to wind and rain much more than the buildings in the valley.

Special attention was paid to inner art. The frescoes of Josef Kramolín are very fragile. Therefore, in the year nine hundred forty-nine, a thorough reconstruction of the fresco decoration took place. Thanks to this we can still admire the colors and details that could otherwise be lost irreparably. It is a reminder of how important it is for us to guard our heritage and maintain it for future generations.

The interesting thing that might interest you is the combination of this place with the surrounding landscape. Imagine what this chapel looked like in the eighteenth century when it was newly built. It was probably the most distinctive building in the area, which served as a beacon for pilgrims and locals. It is fascinating that even after almost three centuries, she has retained her grace and still acts as naturally as if she had grown organically with a hill in the old days.

When you stand in front of this eight-sided building today, feel the atmosphere of peace. Notice how the copper onion canopy shines in the sunshine and how the statue of St. John the Baptist watches over all who come in. It's where time stopped. The Baroque época, with its desire for grandeur, has become more of a hugely balanced form.

Now invited to see the memory closely at your own pace. Walk around her, admire the details of Tuscan warheads, and consider the route the materials and people must have traveled to create this work in the year seven hundred thirty-five. If you have the chance, look into the space where the colors of Josef Kramolín still live.

I hope this short trip to history has helped you better understand the beauty and meaning of the Chapel of the House of St. John the Baptist. It's a little piece of history that carries great artistic value. We wish you a pleasant rest of the trip to the Old Town and enjoy the beauty of the St. Vineyard and the surrounding view. Goodbye.