Španělská kaple (Kaple Bolestné Panny Marie) [ Kirche oder Kathedrale ]
The Spanish Chapel (The Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows) The Spanish Chapel is located in Smetana’s Park. According to a local tradition it was built over a communal grave of the imperial garrison, which was treacherously massacred by the troops of the Protestant margrave from Krnov in 1621. Great part of the imperial garrison constituted of Neapolitan soldiers (the Neapolitan Kingdom was part of the Spanish possessions at that time), hence the popularized name of the Spanish Chapel originated. The place of pilgrimage was very popular especially in the 2nd and 3rd third of the 18th century. After the chapel had been closed down by Joseph II in 1787, it was transformed into a salt warehouse. On the initiative of a citizen of Nový Jičín, Fr. Mech, the chapel was repaired in the 1830s and since 1841, when it was re-consecrated, had served as a place of pilgrimage again. The current appearance of the grounds is the result of a historicist adaptation from 1863 - 1864, when a tower was added to the chapel and the today’s interior was made complete. During Christmas holidays visitors of the chapel are enchanted by a mechanical crib.
There is a spectacular view from this place in the west direction of the outline of the Starý Jičín castle ruins looming on the horizon.
