Tree Sanctuaries and Sacred Spaces: Embracing Silence, Nature, and a Slice of Heaven

Once, we descended from the trees; today, we find ourselves drawn back to them, but not like our ancestors. This time, we are on a quest for peace, beauty, and possibly even a connection with God. A captivating new trend is quietly emerging in the Czech countryside: tree chapels. Does it seem a bit like a fairy tale? It might. But that’s exactly what makes them so appealing to people.
Imagine walking inside a church. Instead of towering ceilings made of stone, you are sheltered beneath a lush canopy of leaves. Sunlight filters down in delicate rays, birds provide the music instead of a choir, and the breeze gently carries messages like a sermon. The earthy scent of resin fills the air, while moss carpets the ground, and views stretch infinitely beyond your sight. This is the essence of tree chapels and cathedrals – simple, yet vital, vibrant sanctuaries for prayer, moments of peace, or just time to reflect.

The dream of Czech landscape architects

You might have encountered them while traveling around the world. Tree churches, chapels, and cathedrals represent a type of land art, an artistic movement that began in the 1960s in the United States. It exists at the crossroads of garden creativity and landscape design. Common features of this art include creations crafted from clay, stone, wood, ice, leaves, and other natural elements.
The Tree Chapel was first conceptualized as a landscape feature in the Czech Republic by landscape architects Hanka and Daniel Matějkovi. While studying landscape architecture in Lednice, they, along with other nature and landscape lovers, founded the ‘Na Okraji’ association. They began with simple land art and gradually progressed to larger projects. During an art workshop in the abandoned Sudeten village of Královec at the foothills of the Orlické Mountains, they stumbled upon the remnants of a chapel—or more accurately, the place where it used to be: two grand lime trees stood at the front, while four horse-chestnut trees formed what would have been the side walls.
Though the chapel itself has disappeared, the trees remain as quiet observers of the changing tides of human history; within them lies the memory of the site, and as silent witnesses, they still contribute to a spiritual space. It was here that the thought emerged that spiritual places don’t have to be confined by solid walls. They can be living entities that flourish and gradually create a sacred space. Tree chapels and cathedrals, with their canopies and vaults that grow over time, offer a fresh view on spirituality.

A touch of heaven amongst the leaves, or places that grow with time

Tree chapels and churches embody the very essence of what modern society seeks: spirituality and nature. While a few such places of worship have started to appear in countries like Germany, France, Britain, or Sweden, this trend in the Czech Republic still awaits its trailblazers. Although tree chapels and cathedrals will fully reveal their beauty only to the next generation, when the treetops intertwine and the trunks unite to form a colonnade, initial projects are already in the making! Come explore them with Kudy z nudy!

The Tree Cathedral on Helštýn Hill

On Helštýn Hill, located near Valašské Meziříčí, a tree cathedral made up of apple, poplar, and oak trees is being developed. Eventually, fifty-seven trees, planted following a detailed architectural design, will create a lush, green cathedral.

The Tree Chapel in Brno-Jehnice

An intriguing circular tree chapel has been constructed in a small park near the cemetery in Brno-Jehnice. Several hornbeams, oaks, lime trees, and beeches are planted around its edges to eventually form a whimsical vault. A wooden sculpture of an angel, crafted by the studio of Jaroslav Ekl, accentuates the space, allowing grieving families to remember their loved ones in tranquility.

The Tree Chapel in Nová Lhota

Envision a spiritual setting that evolves over time and conveys a connection to the land: this describes the tree chapel situated above Nová Lhota in the White Carpathians. It consists of twenty-four lime trees, found on a hill just northwest of the village, and was officially opened and blessed in 2016 during an outdoor service.

The ‘Ve Hvězdách’ Tree Chapel in Lanžhot

Another distinctive chapel, where intertwining branches create a celestial vault, is the ‘Ve Hvězdách’ tree chapel. Located in Lanžhot, locals poetically refer to it as a spot where the earth meets the sky. Along with sturdy wooden benches, there exists a simple altar.

The Tree Chapel of the Eternal Spring in Brno-Medlánky

Another tree chapel is found in Brno-Medlánky. With no traditional church present, the local community decided to establish a tree chapel instead. This chapel is planted with beech trees and is situated above a valley containing several springs, earning it the name Chapel of the Eternal Spring. The name is inspired by a passage from the Bible (John 4:14): But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst again. The water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

The Sun Chapel in Pohořsko

Most tree chapels have come into existence thanks to various community groups. The The Sun Chapel in the Pohoř region was inspired and created by one individual who planted the tree chapel on their own property, which is open for public visits. This unique tree chapel was established on Earth Day, April 22, 2017, in a beautiful meadow located between Pohoří and Všení, south-west of Turnov. The densely planted hornbeams, arranged in a circular formation, are progressively growing to form walls as their branches intertwine. The Sun Chapel symbolizes the vital Sun, features a circular shape, and has eight windows representing the eight planets of our solar system. A stylized altar faces the sun to ensure visitors are always looking towards it. Inside, you’ll find wooden benches for sitting purposes.

The Chapel in the Wind near Radějov

Just south-west of Radějov, there is the observation tower on Holý vrch. It was built during the restoration of the Oskorušová Trail. While only six meters tall (entry is free, but you must use a ladder at your own risk), it provides scenic views of nearby villages, Pálava, Ždánický Forest, the Chřiby Hills, Buchlov Castle, the Vizovice Hills, the pilgrimage site of Svatý Antoníček near Blatnice, and the White Carpathians. Nearby, you’ll find a tree chapel known as the Chapel in the Wind, with a circular layout defined by eleven rowan trees.

The Tree Chapel in Luběnice

Since 2022, Luběnice in the Olomouc region has its own tree chapel. This chapel consists of twenty young cherry and lime trees. Over time, their canopies will join together to create a lovely venue for wedding ceremonies in the countryside, and it will also serve as a rest area for cyclists.

The Tree Chapel in Hýsly

At the junction of paths between the villages of Hýsly and Žádovice stands a tree chapel featuring nineteen lime trees. This site is designed to be a legacy for future generations, providing a peaceful space for contemplation, rest, and reflection. Eventually, the tree canopies will blend together to form a natural chapel.
And so, while the tree canopies gradually come together over the newly planted chapels, the vision for spaces where individuals can pause, breathe deeply, and experience tranquility flourishes alongside them. Tree chapels are not just pieces of architecture; they are living evidence that faith and the beauty of the natural world coexist harmoniously. A church doesn’t have to be made of stone; it can grow, shift with the seasons, and be filled with the fragrances of resin and moss.
Perhaps in the future, these green sanctuaries will be as celebrated as traditional pilgrimage churches and serve as new landmarks on our journeys. The next time you find yourself walking through the countryside and notice young lime trees, oaks, or hornbeams arranged in a circle, pause for a moment. There could be a place taking shape that one day connects the sky, the earth, and the hearts of people. And maybe in that serene location, you will hear the breeze softly carrying a prayer for the beauty and tranquility of our world.