Chapel of Holy Trinity

The Chapel of the Holy Trinity is the small landmark building of Lhotka u Litultovic, a village in the Opava District of the Moravian-Silesian Region in the Czech Republic. Standing right in the centre of the village next to the main road, it has served as the spiritual anchor of this tiny community of fewer than 220 residents for close to three centuries.

How do you get there?

Lhotka u Litultovic sits in a quiet, rural corner of the Opava Silesia area, at an elevation of roughly 464 metres. The chapel stands directly beside the main road running through the village, so it is easy to spot even on a quick drive through the area. It makes a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring the countryside around Opava and looking for smaller, less-visited religious landmarks away from the crowds.

What will you see?

The chapel was built in 1751 as a brick building with plastered walls and a small bell turret. After a fire severely damaged it in the mid-19th century, it was rebuilt — the tower was reshaped into a polygonal form topped with a tall, pyramidal roof, giving the building the slender silhouette it still has today.

The interior, modest in scale, holds a detail that will interest anyone curious about sacred art history: the main altar is decorated with two paintings depicting scenes from the life of Saint Ignatius, by the painter I. Raaba. According to local sources, the canvases most likely originate from a Jesuit church in nearby Opava — meaning this unassuming village chapel houses artwork with a considerably grander, urban and monastic provenance. It's a striking example of how furnishings from larger churches, once dissolved or rebuilt, often found a second home in smaller rural chapels across the region.

The building itself keeps to the modest architectural vocabulary typical of Central European village churches: brick, plaster, a simple floor plan, with the real visual interest concentrated in the tower and its distinctive roof.

When should you visit?

The chapel is primarily a visual landmark and orientation point for the village, so it's best combined with a walk through Lhotka u Litultovic and the neighbouring villages of the Hvozdnice micro-region. Spring and summer are the most rewarding seasons, as longer days make it easy to explore the surrounding hiking and cycling routes through the Opava Silesia countryside. Autumn and winter still have their own charm, but the region's tourist infrastructure is quieter outside the summer season.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the chapel? The chapel is a working parish building, and access to the interior depends on local custom and occasions such as services. The exterior can be viewed freely at any time of year.

Where do the paintings on the main altar come from? According to local historical sources, the paintings depicting scenes from the life of Saint Ignatius, attributed to I. Raaba, most likely came from a Jesuit church in Opava.

When was the chapel built, and has it been rebuilt? The chapel was constructed in 1751. After a fire in the mid-19th century, it was rebuilt with a polygonal tower and a tall, pyramidal roof.

Are there other attractions nearby? Lhotka u Litultovic lies within the Hvozdnice micro-region in the Opava District — it's worth combining a visit with a tour of the surrounding villages and the city of Opava itself, just a short drive away.