Chapel of the Sacred Heart

The Chapel of the Sacred Heart in Sokolí stands in the small village of Sokolí, today part of the town of Třebíč, in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It is a modest brick chapel from the 1930s, known locally above all as a memorial to villagers who died in the two world wars.

Where exactly is the chapel located?

Sokolí lies about 4 km northwest of the centre of Třebíč, on the bank of the Jihlava River, at an elevation of 405 metres above sea level. Although the village has administratively belonged to Třebíč since 1980, it has kept the feel of a small, separate settlement - as of 2021 it had only 109 inhabitants living in 54 houses, with a cadastral area of 4.1 km². The chapel stands roughly 90 metres from the village green, along the path leading toward the cemetery and further on to the former Padrtův mill.

What is the history of the chapel and the village?

The first written mention of Sokolí dates back to 1465, though the settlement may be older - locals once even attempted silver mining in the surrounding area. The chapel itself is far younger: the current brick building was erected in 1936, replacing an earlier wooden bell tower on the same spot. It belongs to the Roman Catholic parish of Třebíč-zámek, whose parish church is dedicated to St. Procopius, within the Třebíč deanery of the Diocese of Brno.

What can visitors see at the chapel?

The side walls of the chapel carry memorial plaques dedicated to residents of Sokolí who died in the First and Second World Wars - the main commemorative feature of the site. Inside, the main altar has survived and can be seen in archival photographs of the building. The chapel is not registered for the nationwide Night of Churches event, so it has no publicly announced visiting hours; anyone wishing to see the interior is best directed to contact the parish priest, Father Pavel Opatřil, through the parish website farnost-bazilika.cz.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Close to the chapel stands the former Padrtův mill, now converted into a guesthouse, along with a small equestrian facility. Sokolí is also associated with a local legend about Výří skála (Eagle Rock), said to conceal the entrance to a tunnel leading to a nearby Benedictine monastery - the story has no historical confirmation but remains part of local folklore. The nearest major religious landmark is the Basilica of St. Procopius together with the former Jewish Quarter in Třebíč, about 4.8 km away and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Is the chapel in Sokolí worth a visit?

This is a destination for travellers looking for quiet, lesser-known corners of the Vysočina Region rather than a stop on organised tours. The chapel works well as a short stop during a walk around Sokolí, combined with a visit to the historic centre of Třebíč and its UNESCO-listed monuments.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the chapel in Sokolí located? About 90 metres from the village green in Sokolí, along the path toward the cemetery and on to Padrtův mill, within the town of Třebíč, in the Vysočina Region.

When was the chapel built? In 1936, on the site of an earlier wooden bell tower.

Which parish does the chapel belong to? The Roman Catholic parish of Třebíč-zámek, with the parish church of St. Procopius, in the Třebíč deanery of the Diocese of Brno.

What do the plaques on the chapel commemorate? Residents of Sokolí who died in the First and Second World Wars.

Can the chapel be visited? It has no fixed, publicly announced opening hours - visits are best arranged through the Třebíč-zámek parish.