Czernin-Morzin Palace Chapel

The chapel in the palace park was built in the Neo-Gothic style in 1887–1891 following a design by architect Stephan Tragl. The chapel is furnished with an altar and a sculpture of the Pieta (Virgin Mary holding the body of Christ) in a unified Neo-Gothic design. The tomb is located below the chapel. Aloysia’s husband Herman Czernin was buried in the tomb in 1892, to be followed by Aloysia fifteen years later. Since World War Two the chapel has been used as a prayer house of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church.

The chapel has groined vaulting and all the interior furnishings are original, except for a few benches, the pulpit and the people’s altar. The high altar, and also the chapel, is dedicated to the Dolorous Virgin Mary. On the top of the altar is a sculpture of the Pieta (Virgin Mary holding the dead Christ). This woodcarving, and also the reliefs in the altar, were probably made by J. Steiner. The reliefs depict the three most important moments in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, i.e., his birth, crucifixion and ascension. There are interesting and unique details in these reliefs, for instance, two devils around Jesus on the crucifix. The one on the left (from Jesus’ view) allegedly begs for forgiveness while the one on Jesus’ right hand taunts him.

The tomb underneath the chapel has groined vaulting on pillars and two rows of columns. The remains of members of the House of Czernin-Morzin began to be buried here in 1891 when Aloysia’s husband Herman Czernin died. He was followed by Aloysia, their son Rudolf and his wife, his son Rudolf and grandson Egon, and many other members of the house.

The chapel is now the property of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church. Services can be attended every Sunday at 9 a.m., and Midnight Mass is held on Christmas Eve. It is also used for weddings and occasional chamber music concerts.

Vrchlabi Palace and the adjacent park are part of guided tours

You can see Vrchlabi’s most interesting monuments which are otherwise usually inaccessible. Groups of 2 to 20 people can enjoy the tour every Monday and Thursday in the summer holidays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The route begins at the Regional Information Centre at the townhall on the main square. Outside the summer holidays, these tours are only available for groups upon prior arrangement.

Tripsi Summer Cinema in the Chapel Premises

Open-air evenings with films on the premises of the Morzin Chapel, offering good refreshments, are an ideal way to end to an active day on holiday as well as after work.

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