A rectangular chapel. Built of mixed stone. That’s the Vartenskà kaple. Simple yet dignified. It stands quietly. A testament to faith and history.
This unassuming chapel near Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav holds a surprising story. It’s part of the Via Sancta. A pilgrimage route from Prague to Stará Boleslav. This specific chapel is number 41. It’s dedicated to the Madonna of Kladenska Varty. Now in Bardo Poland.
The Vartenskà kaple boasts a rich history. Its origins are ancient. It appears on old maps dating back centuries. For instance the First Military Mapping from 1764-1783. Also the Second and Third Military Mappings. The chapel’s existence is documented. It features prominently in the Stabilized Cadastre of 1842. Even in modern state maps since 1983. The Vartenskà kaple endured. It survived wars. It weathered time’s relentless march.
František Antonín Berka of Dubé. A former imperial privy councilor. He’s associated with the chapel. He was a significant donor. The Vartenskà kaple’s rectangular footprint is distinct. Its walls are constructed from mixed masonry. The chapel is coated in plaster. The base has an ochre tint. The upper portion is white. A niche is topped by a semicircular arch. This niche contains a sloped altar. It’s covered by square stone slabs. Below these are inscriptions. They commemorate renovations from 1880 to 1936. Pillars with Tuscan capitals flank the niche. A vertical band rises above them. It’s interrupted by a ring. The ring supports a gable. It’s shaped like a trefoil. Above the niche’s semicircular closure is a circular recess. The gable roof is covered with stone slabs. The chapel is topped by a stone Latin cross. It has outstretched arms. It sits atop a low pedestal.
The Vartenskà kaple is a cultural landmark. It’s a registered cultural monument. Protected since May 3 1958. It’s a small but important piece of Czech history. A testament to faith. A quiet observer of centuries of change. So next time you’re near Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav take a moment. Visit the Vartenskà kaple. Reflect on the stories it quietly holds. It is a captivating piece of living history.