Chapel of Saint Clara, Kapelle in Tschechien
The Chapel of Saint Clara in Troja is a small baroque religious building from the late 1600s standing on a hilltop above vineyards. The structure has a rectangular shape, a flat ceiling inside, and a tiny bell tower rising from the roof with a pointed top and cross.
The chapel was built in 1685 by Count Václav Vojtěch of Šternberk, who was also involved in constructing nearby Troja Castle. A major fire in 1924 damaged the building, leading to extensive restoration work that shaped its current appearance.
The chapel is dedicated to Saint Clara, a 13th-century saint known for her modesty and service to the poor. The dedication reflects a personal connection between the building's founder and his wife, whose name honored this historical figure.
The chapel sits on a hilltop within the vineyard area of Troja, requiring a short uphill walk to reach it. Regular services are held on Sundays, though hours vary seasonally, so check ahead before visiting to confirm access times.
A local legend claims that a bell in the chapel's tiny bell tower rings at night with no visible person operating it. The story explains that monkeys from the nearby zoo occasionally slip through a fence gap after dark and swing on the bell rope, creating the mysterious sound that fuels the legend.
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