Chapel of Saint Godehard

The Chapel of Saint Godehard stands on the village square in Horákov, part of the municipality of Mokrá-Horákov in South Moravia, roughly 8 km east of Brno. It is a small but historically significant chapel, listed among the Czech Republic's cultural monuments and still used for religious gatherings by local residents today.

Why was the chapel built in Horákov?

The present chapel dates from 1898, when it replaced an earlier chapel that had to be torn down to make way for a new road running through the village. Villagers decided to build a new structure dedicated to their patron saint, Godehard (known locally as Gotthard), even though that same year had brought serious financial hardship after a hailstorm destroyed local crops. The project was funded jointly by the village and several private donors, with total costs reaching nearly 700 gold florins.

Who designed and built it?

The design came from a Mr. Veselý of nearby Líšeň, while the actual construction was carried out by a Mr. Šrot of Jezera. A bell cast back in 1786, bearing the inscription "Saint Nicholas, pray for us," was transferred from the old chapel into the newly built tower, preserving a piece of the site's earlier history.

What happened to the chapel over the following decades?

The building's history has not been without setbacks. In 1957 the chapel's tower collapsed and had to be entirely rebuilt. Despite this damage, the chapel survived and eventually gained formal recognition: in 1996 it was listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. The following year it underwent a thorough reconstruction, and in 1998 the chapel was reconsecrated.

What details are worth noticing at the chapel?

During the 1997 reconstruction, the chapel received new paintings on its sundial, featuring basic Christian symbols — a fish and a stork representing family. Standing beside the chapel is also a small statue of Saint John of Nepomuk from 1885, adding another layer to the folk devotional character of the village square.

Is the chapel still used for worship?

Yes. Residents of Horákov continue to gather at the chapel for traditional May and October devotions, a custom common across many Czech villages. May 5, the feast day of Saint Godehard, holds particular significance, with a special service held to mark the occasion.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Horákov chapel dedicated to? The chapel is dedicated to Saint Godehard (Gotthard), whose feast day falls on May 5.

When was the current chapel built? The present building was constructed and consecrated in 1898, replacing an older chapel demolished to make way for a new road.

Is the chapel a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1996, and it underwent a major restoration the following year.

What stands next to the chapel? A small statue of Saint John of Nepomuk from 1885 stands beside it.

Where exactly is the chapel located? On the village square in Horákov, part of the municipality of Mokrá-Horákov in the Brno-venkov district, South Moravian Region.