Chapel in Vokov

Chapel in Vokov stands on the small village green in the heart of Vokov, a hamlet in the Pelhřimov District of the Vysočina Region in the Czech Republic. This modest piece of vernacular sacred architecture has been protected as a cultural monument since 1958, making it one of the few visible traces of the settlement's long history.

Where is the chapel and how do you get there?

Vokov lies between the villages of Rynárec and Myslotín, roughly 4 km south of the town of Pelhřimov, 28 km west of Jihlava, and just under 100 km southeast of Prague. A yellow-marked hiking trail runs straight through the village, making it an easy stop on foot or by bike - the chapel sits right on the main square, its small bell turret visible from a distance.

What does the chapel look like?

The building has a square floor plan with a rectangular entrance on its front side. Small semicircular window openings pierce the side walls, lighting an interior covered by a flat ceiling. A tent-shaped roof clad in wooden shingles rises above the walls, topped with a small bell turret - a familiar feature of village chapels across this part of Bohemia. The overall design is plain and unadorned, typical of small-scale folk religious architecture in the central Czech countryside.

When was the chapel built?

The exact construction date is unknown. Available sources place it at the end of the 18th or beginning of the 19th century; some accounts narrow it down to around 1800, with a possible reconstruction in 1983, though the documentation is not fully consistent. What is certain is that the chapel has been listed as a protected cultural monument, classified as a small vernacular sacred structure, since 1958.

What is the history of Vokov itself?

The oldest surviving written record of Vokov dates from 1355, although the settlement itself is believed to be considerably older, likely founded in the second half of the 12th century during the wave of internal colonization of Bohemian lands. Its earliest known owners were local vladykové (lesser nobility) known by the name "of Vokov," and the estate was later split among several successive owners. Today Vokov is a small village of around 200 residents, neighboring Rynárec and Myslotín.

Is the chapel worth visiting?

The chapel is well preserved but only occasionally open to visitors, making it a destination for travelers who enjoy quiet countryside routes and small heritage sites rather than a stop on bus-tour itineraries. It works well as a short break during a walk along the yellow trail that links the villages of this part of the Vysočina region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the chapel in Vokov located? It stands on the village green in Vokov, a settlement in the Pelhřimov District, about 4 km south of the town of Pelhřimov.

How old is the chapel? It most likely dates from the late 18th or early 19th century; some sources place its construction around 1800.

Is the chapel a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as an immovable cultural monument since 1958, categorized as a small vernacular sacred building.

Can visitors go inside the chapel? The chapel is only occasionally accessible and has no fixed opening hours for visitors.

How do you get to Vokov? The easiest way is to drive to Pelhřimov and continue on foot, by bike along the yellow-marked trail, or by local road to the village of Vokov.