Location: In the slope behind Grandhotel Pupp above the centre of Karlovy Vary
Period of construction: 1700
Period of reconstruction: Between 1885 and 1886
Architect: Unknown
Official opening: 1700
Accessibility: Not accessible

How to get there

Route 1:        You may reach the chapel by walking from the Hot Spring along the left bank of the Teplá River to Stará louka (Old Meadow). From there, you will follow the blue-marked tourist path up Mariánská Street, walk by the lower station of the funicular to the Diana Observation Tower and climb up the hill behind Grandhotel Pupp to the chapel. This route is approximately 600 metres long and takes not more than 10 minutes.

Route 2:        If you decide for the second route, take the funicular to the upper station near the Diana Observation Tower. From there, you need to walk down the winding blue-marked forest path to the chapel and then back to the city centre.

History of the structure

The original Baroque Chapel of the Virgin Mary of Sorrows was built upon the order of the Count of Sternberg and his wife during their stay at the spa in 1700. It was erected in the slope behind the Saxony Hall, i.e. the present-day Grandhotel Pupp. Since its construction, the chapel has gained immense attention among the spa guests. It was also drawn by famous German poet and writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe during his visit to Karlovy Vary in 1808. Because the sacral structure had become so popular, plans for its reconstruction and enlargement were contemplated as early as in the 18^th century. Nevertheless, its actual reconstruction in Pseudo-Gothic style was effected much later, i.e. in the years 1885 and 1886.

After World War II, the once popular chapel was forgotten and it was gradually dilapidating. The decaying chapel underwent extensive reconstruction in 1991. Lying somewhat forgotten off the main tourist paths, the Pseudo-Gothic chapel with its amazing romantic architecture and a two-flight access staircase is waiting to be rediscovered by the spa guests.