Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk

The Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk sits on Strážná hill in Třebíč, roughly 500 metres above sea level, and is known locally simply as "Kostelíček" — the little church. It looks modest from the outside, but its story stretches back to the mid-17th century and centers on a builder whose work quietly outran his era.

Who built the chapel, and why on this hill?

The chapel was raised in 1644–1645 on the initiative of Jan Fulík, a local mason from Třebíč. The site wasn't chosen at random: a tower belonging to the town's fortifications had previously stood there, guarding the approach to Třebíč from the hillside. Once that defensive role faded, the spot was repurposed for a place of worship.

What makes Fulík's achievement stand out is that he had no formal architectural training. Despite that, the forms he used are considered to have anticipated Baroque church architecture in Moravia by more than half a century — an unusual case of a self-taught builder working ahead of the mainstream trends of his time.

What does the chapel look like inside and out?

The building follows a Greek-cross floor plan with an arched entrance portal and faces east. Its footprint is compact: the length is 6.65 metres, with widths of 4.3 and 3.05 metres across the different arms of the cross, while the height up to the cross on top reaches 17 metres — giving the small building a surprisingly tall, visible silhouette on the hill.

Beneath the floor lies a small crypt, itself laid out in a cross shape. It was there, in 1672, that Jan Fulík himself was buried, next to his young son who had died as a child — the builder resting, in effect, inside his own creation.

Why is it dedicated to St. John of Nepomuk today?

The chapel was originally consecrated as the Chapel of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Its dedication changed at the end of the 18th century: under the Josephine religious reforms of Emperor Joseph II, the chapel was deconsecrated and sold into private hands. The new owner arranged for it to be reconsecrated, and at that point the patronage shifted to St. John of Nepomuk, the name it still carries.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Right next to the chapel stands a calvary with three wooden crosses, a longstanding pilgrimage destination. Every September, around the feast associated with the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, an open-air mass is held here — a tradition kept alive by the local community for generations.

A lookout tower also stands nearby, converted from a former water tower. Between the chapel, the crosses, and the tower, Strážná hill combines historical and spiritual significance with a genuine viewpoint over Třebíč and the surrounding Vysočina countryside.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk in Třebíč built? It was built in 1644–1645, on the site of a former tower belonging to the town's fortifications.

Why is it called "Kostelíček"? That's the local nickname, meaning "little church," reflecting how small the building is compared with Třebíč's parish churches.

Who is buried in the crypt beneath the chapel? The chapel's builder, Jan Fulík, was buried there in 1672 next to his son, who died in childhood.

Are there any events held at the chapel? Yes — every September, an open-air mass is held at the nearby calvary with its three wooden crosses, echoing the chapel's original dedication to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.