Religious buidings

Orthodox Chapel of Saint Nicholas

Wooden Orthodox chapel

Location: On a plane in front of the Aberg Lookout Tower on Doubská Mountain
Period of construction: Between 1999 and 2000
Architect: Unknown
Official opening: 16 November 2000
Accessibility: Not accessible

How to get there

Route 1:        You may reach the chapel by taking an approximately 4.5 kilometre long walk along Cesta Přátelství (Friendship Path), which leads from Grandhotel Pupp in the centre of Karlovy Vary via the Diana Observation Tower and through the charming spa woods. You may shorten your walk by taking the funicular to the Diana Observation Tower.

Route 2:        If you decide for the second route, travel by Bus No. 6 to the terminal stop in Doubí. From there, walk 3 kilometres up the blue-marked tourist path that leads by the former Saint Linhart Café up to the tower. Parking for passenger vehicles may be found in the vicinity.

History of the structure

The unique wooden Orthodox Chapel of Saint Nicholas built between the years 1999 and 2000 on a plane in front of the Aberg Lookout Tower on Doubská hora (Doubská Mountain) was financed from the private funds of Nikolai Gennadievich Stepanov. The foundation stone was blessed by Vladyka Metropolitan Dorotei on the feast day of St. Peter and Paul on 12 July 1999. The individual wooden components of the future chapel were processed, numbered and prepared for assembly at a Russian plant. The entire modular set was then transported to Karlovy Vary where it was assembled directly on site. The chapel was consecrated on 16 November 2000 by Christopher, Archbishop of Prague and Metropolitan of the Czech Lands. Unfortunately, the chapel was open to people of faith and visitors only a few years.

The chapel and the adjoining lookout tower have been closed for several years and they are not accessible to the public at present. Despite being closed, the picturesque chapel with its amazing architecture is definitely worth visiting.

Gallery

Similar places

Places Worth Visiting
Religious buidings
Chapel of Saint Linhart

Chapel of Saint Linhart

The original niche Chapel of Saint Linhart built below the ruins of the Romanesque Church of Saint Linhart (Saint Leonard) in the late 17th century was converted into a Pseudo-Gothic chapel upon the order of Lord Russell, 2nd Baron Ampthill, in 1884. The chapel with the ruins of the Romanesque church may be found at a peaceful location seated amidst the spa woods and it has become a popular destination of tourists and visitors during their outings in the surroundings of Karlovy Vary. The path known as Sovova stezka (Sova's Path) leads along the site and it continues to the newly developed relaxation area near the former Saint Linhart Café.
Religious buidings
Romanesque Church of Saint Linhart

Romanesque Church of Saint Linhart

The oldest ecclesiastical structure on the territory of the spa town is the originally fortified Late Romanesque Church of Saint Linhart (Saint Leonard), which was probably built around the year 1200. The decay of the church is associated with the foundation of Karlovy Vary in the nearby valley, which resulted in the gradual depopulation of the village and the diminishing importance of the whole area in the late 15th century. Since the 18th century, the church ruins have become a popular outing destination for spa guests. Archaeological research was carried out on the site of the church ruins at the end of the 20th century. The original church walls unearthed during the excavations were conserved, the surrounding terrain was landscaped, and the site was open to the public.
Religious buidings
"U Obrazu" (By the Picture) Chapel

"U Obrazu" (By the Picture) Chapel

The Pseudo-Gothic niche chapel resembling an altar made of white marble was built upon the order of the family of deceased Viennese industrialist Nicolaus Dumba who had belonged among frequent spa guests. A picture of the Virgin Mary with the Hot Spring by Viennese Art Nouveau painter and sculptor Franz Matsch was placed in the niche. The "U Obrazu" crossroads with a richly decorated wooden arbour and a stone bench is a popular destination of the spa guests during their walks through the woods surrounding Karlovy Vary.