Chapel of the Transfiguration

The Chapel of the Transfiguration in Mokrá is a small chapel standing in the village of Mokrá, part of the Mokrá-Horákov municipality in the Brno-venkov district, South Moravian Region, roughly 15 km northeast of Brno. It was built in the early 20th century as a community project, replacing a worn-out wooden bell tower with a more lasting place of worship.

Why did the villagers of Mokrá decide to build a chapel?

Mokrá had had a wooden bell tower since time immemorial. Despite repeated repairs, it eventually stopped serving its purpose and even got in the way of a new district road being built. This prompted the villagers to build a new, larger chapel on a site better suited to the parish's needs.

Who designed the chapel and where was it built?

The plans were drawn up by master mason Antonín Jetelina of Šlapanice. The chosen site had been occupied by three old lime trees as recently as 1905; they were cut down to make room for the new building.

When was the chapel built?

Construction itself took place between August and September 1909 - a relatively short, few-week process typical of small rural chapels built by local communities.

What can visitors see inside the chapel?

The altar, featuring a painting of the Transfiguration, was commissioned by the mayor at the time, Rudolf Paták, who also ordered statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Over time the interior was enriched with a wooden, polychrome Pietà and a painting of the Holy Trinity. The furnishings therefore combine elements from different periods of the chapel's history into a modest but coherent devotional ensemble.

How has the chapel been used by the community?

Local believers have used the chapel for May and October devotions since it was built. Every year a mass is also held here to mark the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6 - the very feast the chapel is named after.

Has the chapel undergone restoration?

The last major renovation took place between 1995 and 1996, with the aim of bringing the building's appearance as close as possible to its original look from over a century earlier.

Frequently asked questions

What is the chapel dedicated to? It is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord, a feast celebrated on August 6.

Where exactly is the chapel located? In the village of Mokrá, part of the Mokrá-Horákov municipality in the Brno-venkov district, South Moravian Region, at coordinates 49.2249764 N, 16.7509933 E.

When was the chapel built? It was built between August and September 1909, based on plans by master mason Antonín Jetelina of Šlapanice.

Why was a new chapel needed? The existing wooden bell tower had stopped functioning properly and was obstructing construction of a new district road.

What can be seen inside? An altar with a painting of the Transfiguration, statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, a wooden polychrome Pietà, and a painting of the Holy Trinity.

Is the chapel still in use today? Yes - it hosts May and October devotions as well as an annual mass on the Feast of the Transfiguration.