Chapel of Saint Charles Borromeo

Chapel of Saint Charles Borromeo is a small Baroque chapel standing on a wooded hillside above Telč, in the Czech Republic's Vysočina region, right along the red-marked trail toward the village of Vanov. Its octagonal shape and quiet forest setting make it one of the more unusual stops near this UNESCO-listed town – and its origin story is more dramatic than its modest size suggests.

Why was the chapel built here?

The chapel was commissioned around 1670 by Countess Františka Slavatová (1609–1676), a member of the noble Slavata family that once owned Telč, and built at her own expense. She chose this exact spot for a reason: on 13 October – traditionally dated to either 1652 or 1653 – her son, Jan Karel Jáchym Slavata (1641–1712), fell into a wolf pit here. Wolf pits were a common hunting device at the time, dug to trap predators threatening local livestock. Peasants from nearby Vanov pulled the boy out unharmed, and his grateful mother later marked the site with a chapel built exactly where it happened.

What does the chapel look like?

Designed by the architect Stefan Perti, the chapel has an eight-sided floor plan topped with a small tower, and its entrance is preceded by a vestibule with three separate doorways – an unusual feature for such a small rural chapel. Inside, the painted ceiling depicts the rescue itself: villagers pulling the child out of the pit, a rare case of chapel decoration recording an actual family event rather than a purely devotional scene.

Who looks after the chapel today?

The chapel is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Since 1990 it has belonged to the town of Telč, which took over its upkeep after a period when many small rural chapels across the Vysočina region had fallen into neglect.

How do you get there?

The easiest approach is on foot, following the red-marked trail from central Telč toward Vanov; the walk runs along the edge of the forest and typically takes under an hour each way, making it an easy add-on to a day spent exploring the town itself. Telč, famous for its Renaissance square and château, is the natural base for visiting this corner of Vysočina.

FAQ

Why is the chapel dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo? The countess chose him as patron; the 16th-century Milanese cardinal and Church reformer was widely venerated across Central Europe at the time, particularly by noble families seeking a protector associated with rescue from danger and care for children.

Can visitors go inside the chapel? The chapel is occasionally opened to the public, including during the Czech "Night of Churches" (Noc kostelů) event and local parish occasions – it's worth checking the current schedule before planning a visit if seeing the interior matters to you.

How long does the walk from Telč take? Following the red trail toward Vanov usually takes 30 to 45 minutes each way, depending on your pace and starting point in town.

Is it worth combining with other sights in the area? Yes – the trail runs close to the village of Vanov, and Telč itself offers its historic square, château, and several other attractions, making it easy to build a full day around the walk and the town.