Chapel of Our Lady of the Snow on the Santon hill

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Snow stands on top of Santon hill, right beside the D1 motorway, on the outskirts of the village of Tvarožná near Brno. It's an unassuming building with a red roof, easily spotted from the road, yet it carries more than three centuries of history and a direct link to one of the most famous battles of the Napoleonic era.

Where does the name Santon come from?

The hill on which the chapel stands got its name from French soldiers in 1805. That year, Santon became a key support point for the left wing of the French battle line during the Battle of Austerlitz (the Battle of the Three Emperors), fought on 2 December 1805. Tvarožná found itself right in the middle of the fighting and was one of the villages most affected by the battle. While fortifying the hill for their artillery positions, French soldiers demolished the chapel that stood there at the time — a purely military decision that left the site without a place of worship for decades.

What happened to the chapel before the battle?

The first, wooden chapel on this spot was built back in 1700. It didn't survive intact into the Napoleonic era: it was deconsecrated in 1786, and less than two decades later, in 1805, it was physically removed from the hilltop as part of the fortification work carried out by the French army.

When was the current chapel built?

The building visitors see today dates from 1832, raised directly on the foundations of the original 18th-century chapel. Archaeologists confirmed this connection in 1986, when excavations on the hill uncovered the foundations of the earlier structure, physically linking the two eras of worship on Santon.

What does the chapel's architecture look like?

The chapel has a rectangular floor plan ending in a small chancel with a niche. Its roof is tent-shaped, topped above the entrance by a small wooden bell tower — a detail that gives the whole structure its distinctive silhouette, recognizable from a distance. The main façade is framed by a decorative surround around an arched entrance. It's modest, rural sacred architecture, but that very simplicity, combined with its exposed position on the hilltop, is exactly what makes the chapel such a memorable landmark in the area.

What renovation work has the chapel undergone?

The chapel has been renovated several times. A major restoration took place in 1928, when a time capsule was placed inside the dome beneath the cross. Another significant round of work followed in 1999, when the dome was replaced and windows that had previously been bricked up were reopened.

Why is it worth a visit?

Santon sits right in the middle of the battlefield where the Battle of Austerlitz was fought — one of the defining clashes of the Napoleonic era, one that shaped the course of European history in the early 19th century. For anyone interested in the Napoleonic Wars, it's an essential stop on a battlefield tour, complementing a visit to the nearby Peace Memorial (Mohyla míru). The chapel is also simply a scenic spot: the hill rises above the surrounding fields, and its red roof is visible from far away, including from cars passing on the D1 motorway below.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the chapel on Santon hill located? On top of Santon hill, on the outskirts of the village of Tvarožná, close to the D1 motorway, near Brno.

Why is the hill called Santon? French soldiers gave it the name in 1805, when it served as a support point for the left wing of their battle line during the Battle of Austerlitz.

Is the current chapel the original building? No — the current chapel dates from 1832 and stands on the foundations of an earlier wooden chapel from 1700, which was demolished in 1805 during fortification works.

What archaeological work has been done on the hill? In 1986, archaeological excavations uncovered the foundations of the original 18th-century chapel.

What historical event is this site connected to? The Battle of Austerlitz (Battle of the Three Emperors) of 2 December 1805 — one of the most significant battles of the Napoleonic era.