Chapel of Virgin Mary

The Chapel of the Virgin Mary in Sezemice is a small but distinctive sacred building standing at the highest point of the town, on a rise once known as "Kozí vrch" (Goat Hill). Built in 1902, this pseudo-Gothic cemetery chapel is one of the recognizable landmarks of Sezemice and has hosted local Marian pilgrimages for more than a century.

How do you get to the chapel in Sezemice?

Sezemice is a small town in the Pardubice region, a few kilometers from the city of Pardubice. The chapel stands within the local cemetery, on a hill that rises above the surrounding rooftops, making it visible from much of the town and a natural landmark for visitors. The easiest way to reach it is on foot from the town center — given the town's compact size, the walk usually takes no more than a quarter of an hour. The hill itself offers a pleasant vantage point, so it's worth combining the visit with a short walk around the immediate area.

What will you see there?

The chapel stands out for its regular octagonal floor plan — a layout far less common than the rectangular or cruciform plans typical of most churches and chapels, which makes the building's silhouette catch the eye even from a distance. One of its eight walls opens with a Gothic-style portal and entrance door, through which visitors enter the interior. Inside, the space is covered by a polygonal vault that echoes the octagonal shape of the building, creating a coherent architectural composition that gives the small interior a calm, focused character. The overall style is pseudo-Gothic, a design language common to many 19th- and early 20th-century sacred buildings in the region. In 2009 the chapel underwent a thorough renovation that included roof repairs and a new facade, so today the building is in good technical and visual condition.

When is the best time to visit?

The chapel's exterior can be admired year-round, and the walk up the cemetery hill has its own charm in every season — in autumn and winter the building stands out sharply against the sky, while in spring and summer the surrounding greenery adds to its picturesque setting. The most special moment to visit, however, is August 15, the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary — the date of the first Marian pilgrimage to the newly built chapel in 1903, which started the local tradition of the Sezemice "chapel pilgrimages." Anyone hoping to experience the chapel as part of a living religious tradition, rather than purely as an architectural sight, should plan a visit around this date.

Frequently asked questions

When was the chapel in Sezemice built? The chapel was built in 1902 on a rise once known as "Kozí vrch," or Goat Hill.

What architectural style is the chapel? It is built in the pseudo-Gothic style, featuring a Gothic-style entrance portal and an octagonal floor plan.

Can you go inside the chapel? The chapel primarily functions as a cemetery building and the site of an annual pilgrimage, so interior access may vary by day; the exterior, including the portal, can be viewed freely at any time.

Are there any events held at the chapel? Yes — every August 15, on the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a traditional Marian pilgrimage takes place, continuing a custom that dates back to the first such celebration in 1903.