Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola

The Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola is a Baroque church standing on Borová hill in Malenovice, at the foot of Lysá hora in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids. This small, single-nave church has served as the spiritual heart of the area for more than three centuries and remains a destination for local pilgrimages, its tower visible from afar above the rooftops of the village.

Where did the church come from?

The church was built in 1673, funded by Count František Eusebius of Oppersdorf. It replaced an earlier chapel that had stood on the summit of Borová — but that older building never disappeared. Known later as the mission chapel, it was attached to the new church on the southeast side, where it still serves today as a side entrance. Jesuits established a mission center at the newly built church, tasked with re-Catholicizing the surrounding population in the wake of the Reformation. An independent parish on Borová, however, was only established in 1785.

What does the church look like today?

The church's current appearance largely dates to a renovation carried out at the end of the 19th century, when the distinctive stone tower — now a recognizable landmark against the Beskid landscape — was added. The building itself has remained modest: a simple, single-nave structure with a sacristy and side chapels, without the grandeur typical of large urban Baroque churches.

Inside, the altar painting of Saint Ignatius of Loyola draws attention: its composition faithfully follows one of the engravings that illustrated a biography of the saint published in 1609 to mark his canonization. After 1980 the church underwent further renovation work, during which a marble altar facing the congregation was installed and the interior was carefully adapted to modern liturgical use.

A place of pilgrimage and local tradition

Borová has long been a pilgrimage site for residents of Malenovice and nearby Beskid villages — local tradition links the annual church feast with prayers for family well-being and the continuation of one's lineage. This blend of religious observance and community gathering keeps the church a living local landmark rather than merely a monument admired from the outside.

Getting there and when to visit

Malenovice lies in the Frýdek-Místek district, at the heart of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, close to Ostravice and at the foot of Lysá hora, one of the range's most popular peaks. The church stands on rising ground in the center of the village, making it a convenient starting point or waypoint for hikes along the surrounding trails. Given the mountainous climate of the region, the best time to visit runs from late spring through early autumn, when trails are dry and the views from Borová hill are at their best. Since 2001, the building has been listed as a cultural monument, confirming its historical and architectural value to the region.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in Malenovice built? The church was built in 1673, funded by Count František Eusebius of Oppersdorf, on the site of an older chapel on Borová hill.

Why is the church dedicated to Saint Ignatius of Loyola? Jesuits established a mission center at the church aimed at re-Catholicizing the local population, which explains the dedication to the founder of the Jesuit order.

What happened to the older chapel on Borová? The earlier chapel was not demolished — it was attached to the church on the southeast side and now serves as a side entrance.

Is the church a protected heritage site? Yes, the Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola has been listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 2001.