Whispers of pilgrims echo through time as we approach the \u2164. kaple poutn\u00ed cesty Loreta \u2013 H\u00e1jek. This chapel marks a significant point on the pilgrimage route from Prague to H\u00e1jek. It connects the Loreta in Hrad\u010dany with the Franciscan monastery in H\u00e1jek.
Let me tell you about this special place. The H\u00e1jek pilgrimage route stretches about 14 kilometers. It leads from Hrad\u010dany to the Loreta within the Franciscan Monastery H\u00e1jek near Unho\u0161\u0165.
Originally the route featured twenty niche chapels. Today eleven remain. Florian Jet\u0159ich \u017d\u010f\u00e1rsk\u00fd ze \u017d\u010f\u00e1ru built a Loreto chapel in H\u00e1jek between 1623 and 1625. He gave thanks for the birth of his heir. This chapel quickly drew pilgrims. It was expanded in 1630. A monastery was established here in 1659.
Around 1722 the Archbishop’s office recorded about 60000 pilgrims visiting H\u00e1jek annually. Between 1720 and 1726 twenty chapels were built along the route thanks to donors. Donors contributed 200 gold coins for each chapel’s construction. They also gave 20 gold coins for maintenance. Notable contributors included Karel Joachim Breda and Count Franti\u0161ek Josef \u010cern\u00edn. Count Anton\u00edn Jan Nostic and the Prague Old Town Magistrate also helped.
The construction involved several key figures. Franti\u0161ek Fortin served as the master mason and project designer. He received 50 gold coins per chapel. Herstoff or Herrstorff was the stonemason earning 70 gold coins per chapel. Jan Schor a Prague painter and fortification engineer created the artwork. He received 30 gold coins per chapel.
These chapels were brick structures with pilasters. Each had a triangular gable adorned with a cross and stone pedestals with spheres. Inside the chapels featured painted scenes. The upper halves depicted scenes from the Virgin Mary’s life. The lower halves showed the life of Saint Francis. Latin inscriptions in elegiac distichs accompanied the artwork. Each donor’s emblem appeared between the alcove and the cornice.
Each chapel stood about 8.5 meters tall to the top of the cross. The base measured 3.8 meters by 1.3 meters. A complete renovation of all structures occurred from 1751 to 1752. Another renovation including painting restoration took place between 1773 and 1774.
Emperor Joseph II later dissolved the foundation. The chapels gradually fell into disrepair. Fourteen surviving chapels were repaired between 1899 and 1900. New buildings disrupted parts of the original route. Frescoes were replaced with images on metal panels by Prague painter Josef Scheiwl.
By 2001 only nine of the original twenty chapels remained in Prague. Two more existed outside Prague. In 1999 academic sculptor Jan Tursk\u00fd began restoring 19 chapels. This was initiated by the Hostiv\u00edt association. Prague 6 restored five chapels in its area between 2000 and 2001. The restored first chapel on Dlaba\u010dov was unveiled on December 18 2001. Pavel B\u00e9m Prokop Siostrzonek and Petr Hampl attended.
The Poutn\u00ed cesta H\u00e1jek association founded in 2013 supports the pilgrimage route. This group organized fundraising for chapel restorations. They advocate for the route’s historic preservation. Only the chapels have protected status so far.
Jan Arno\u0161t Anton\u00edn Schaffgotsch and his wife Marie Barbora Eli\u0161ka z Vald\u0161tejna donated to this chapel. After World War II the chapel was not maintained. It eventually underwent restoration between 2000 and 2001.
Today the \u2164. kaple poutn\u00ed cesty Loreta \u2013 H\u00e1jek stands as a testament. It reflects faith art and history along a route once trod by countless pilgrims. As we continue let us remember their journeys and devotion.