Church of Saint Valentine

The Church of Saint Valentine stands in Chabičov, one of the parts of the municipality of Háj ve Slezsku, which also administratively includes the nearby village of Smolkov. Chabičov and Smolkov merged with the settlement of Háj back in 1922 to form a single municipality, which is why the church is sometimes associated with the whole area rather than a single village. The building lies in Upper Silesia, in the Opava District of the Moravian-Silesian Region, roughly halfway between the cities of Opava and Ostrava.

How to get there?

Háj ve Slezsku sits along the route connecting Opava and Ostrava, so the easiest way to reach it is by car or by a local bus running between the two cities. As the dominant landmark of the municipality, the church is visible from the road well before arrival and serves as a natural point of orientation for anyone heading toward Chabičov or Smolkov. The site's coordinates are approximately 49.897°N, 18.101°E, which makes it easy to find with satellite navigation.

What will you see?

The current building was constructed between 1910 and 1911 and consecrated in 1911. Its architects combined Neo-Romanesque forms with Art Nouveau and early Art Deco details, giving the church a more eclectic appearance than the single-style rural churches typically built in this region around the turn of the 20th century. The church functions as the main architectural landmark of the entire Háj ve Slezsku municipality, its silhouette standing out above the lower buildings of the surrounding villages.

It is worth knowing that the present church is not the first place of worship dedicated to Saint Valentine on this spot. A cross dating from 1902 marks the location of an earlier chapel carrying the same dedication, which preceded the construction of the brick-and-stone church. The building itself was damaged during the liberation fighting at the end of the Second World War, a fate shared by many churches in Upper Silesia from that period, when the front line moved through the area between Opava and Ostrava.

When to visit?

As a place of worship, the church is best visited on weekdays outside of services, or during Sunday Mass for travelers who want to see the interior while the building is open. Háj ve Slezsku's location on the road between two larger regional cities makes it a convenient stop on a longer Upper Silesian itinerary at any time of year — the building's silhouette reads well against green countryside in summer and against snow in winter alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the church located in Smolkov? Formally, the building stands in Chabičov, but Chabičov and Smolkov are both parts of the same municipality of Háj ve Slezsku, merged administratively in 1922, which is why the church is sometimes described as connected to Smolkov as well.

When was the church built? The current masonry church was built between 1910 and 1911 and consecrated in 1911.

What architectural style is the building? Its architecture combines Neo-Romanesque forms with Art Nouveau and early Art Deco elements.

Did an earlier chapel stand here? Yes — a cross from 1902 marks the site of an older chapel with the same dedication, which stood here before the current church was built.