Zámecká kaple Morzinů Castle / castle chapel

Welcome to Vrchlabí, a place where history meets nature and peace. Right now, you're facing one of the very special places in this city. The Zámecká kaple Morzinů stands before you. Notice you're not just standing in space, but you're on an elevated stone terrace. This location is not random, it gives the construction nobility and separates it from the surrounding activity while it also closely connects it to a nearby city park. Stop for a moment, take a breath and feel the atmosphere of this place. Imagine how people in period clothing came here over a century ago, as their steps on this rock sounded and how they felt about this building.

Let us now look together at how this chapel was created and who was behind it. We are at the end of the nineteenth century, namely in 1887, when its construction began. The whole project was carried out for a significant family of Cerníší-Morzins, who left a deep mark in this area. The architect who breathed life into this building was Štěpán Tragla. His job was to create a space that not only served for prayer, but also expressed the status and taste of owners. The building lasted several years and in 1891 the chapel was ceremonially dedicated to St. Jacob. At that time it was a place of deep faith and family belonging, which underlines the fact that the chapel contains the tomb of the original owners of the castle. So it is a place where the earth has joined the spirit and where the Black-Morzine family has found its last peace.

Now pay attention to the very form of the building. There's a neo-gothic building in front of you. Novogotics were very popular at the time because it returned to the values and aesthetics of the Middle Ages, but with the use of modern construction options. Look at the total line of the building, its vertical and the way it rises above the terrace. Feel the rhythm of her appearance and details that Štěpán Tragla has put into the project. Even though we are looking at an external construction today, its external form tells us of the inner peace and respect that persists in it. Look at the facade and think about how many generations of people have seen these walls.

With this place are also connected specific personalities that gave him a human dimension. These include Aloisie Černínová and Heřman z Černínu. Imagine them as people who have moved in these areas, who have sought solace here, or have quietly thought about the future of their family and their property. The name of Josef Jan Hais also belongs to the history of this place. Each of these people brought to the chapel a different story, a different feeling and a different view of the world. It is thanks to them that this chapel is not only a pile of stones and mortar, but a living witness to human destiny, love, sadness and hope.

Now I'm happy to show you something that is truly fascinating in this chapel. If we think about her fate, we'll find she's changed a lot over the years. Originally dedicated to Saint James, she went through a major change in 1947. In this year the chapel went to the administration of the Czechoslovak Church of Hussite and since then it has served as a prayer room for its believers. It is a fascinating transformation of one space, which took over a new role from the family tomb and private chapel of the noble family and opened up to a wider community of believers. This change shows how times changed, how political and social regimes were broken, but the building itself remained a fixed point in the stream of history.

When we think about the inner equipment that the chapel has in it, we can imagine the beauty of its altar. There is a statue of Piety in life size, which is a depiction of the Mother of God with a deceaded son in his arms. It's a picture of deep sadness, but also a great love that brings humility to the visitor. In addition to this emotional work, we can also find precise woodcuts that come from Master Steiner's workshop. This combination of art and belief creates space in the interior where one feels small but also part of something much larger.

You may be wondering why this building is so important today. Since 2006 the entire building has been protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. That means the state has recognized its irreplaceable value for our history and culture. It's not just her looks, it's what she represents. It is a bridge between different ages, between the noble past and modern times, between the Catholic tradition and the Hussite prayer.

Let's stop for a moment in silence. Take a look again at this building, its location on the stone terrace and how harmonically it fits into the landscape of Vrchlabí. It's a place that teaches us patience and reminds us that even though the worlds around us change, there are values and places that persist. Zámecká kaple Morzinů is just like that.

Now that you know her story, her creator and the people who gave her life, I suggest you explore the space around her at your own pace. Take a walk on the terrace, see the proximity of the city park and let your thoughts float freely. You may feel the same peace as the people here were looking for a century ago.

Thank you for accompanying me on this short journey through time. I hope this interpretation has helped you see more than just architecture in this beautiful building, but the real story about people and their beliefs. I wish you a pleasant continuation in your discovery of Vrchlabí and its hidden treasures. Goodbye and see you in the next corner of our beautiful city.