Schlesinger chapel

Schlesinger Chapel is a small brick chapel tucked away in the forest of the Sněženkovo valley, near the village of Lezník close to Polička in the Czech Republic. Unlike most rural chapels, it wasn't commissioned by a parish or municipality — it began as one family's private act of gratitude.

Who built the chapel, and why?

The chapel was built in 1935 by a German farmer named Johann Schlesinger, known locally by the nickname Tobesch, together with his wife Emilia, who came from Chmelík. The couple erected it in thanks for Emilia's recovery from a serious illness that had left her blind.

What's the story behind it?

According to local tradition, no doctor at the time could help Emilia regain her sight. She turned to prayer, appealing to the Virgin Mary, and reportedly had a dream in which she was guided to a spring in the Vysoký forest. After washing her eyes with water from that spring, her sight is said to have returned. Grateful for what he saw as a miracle, her husband built the chapel on the very spot tied to the event — which is why the chapel is also known by the folk name Tobešova, alongside its official name, Schlesingerova.

What does the chapel look like today?

It's a modest brick structure with a rounded apse, roofed with tar paper (roofing felt) rather than tile or slate. It sits on a raised terrace above a stream bed, giving it a quiet, somewhat secluded feel. Directly below the chapel is a spring known as Daňkův pramen (Daněk's Spring), still a popular stop for hikers passing through the surrounding forest.

A Way of the Cross once led up to the chapel. Over the decades it fell into disrepair, but a local heritage association has since restored it, so the path once again functions as it was originally intended — as a devotional route through the woods.

Why is it worth a visit?

Schlesinger Chapel isn't a grand monument — its appeal lies elsewhere. It's a small, tangible piece of folk piety and a record of the bond between a German farming family and the landscape around Polička before the Second World War. For anyone hiking the trails near the town, it makes a natural resting point: shade, the sound of the stream, and a spring where you can refill a water bottle.

How do you get there?

The chapel stands in the forest near the village of Lezník, a few kilometers from central Polička. It's best reached on foot or by bike along the local forest trails running through the Sněženkovo valley — there's no direct road access for cars.

Frequently asked questions

Who built Schlesinger Chapel and when? It was built in 1935 by German farmer Johann Schlesinger and his wife Emilia, as thanks for her recovery from a serious illness.

Why is the chapel also called Tobešova? After Johann Schlesinger's local nickname, Tobesch.

What spring is located near the chapel? Daňkův pramen (Daněk's Spring), situated just below the chapel and popular with hikers.

Is there still a Way of the Cross leading to the chapel? Yes — the original Way of the Cross had fallen into disrepair, but it was restored by a local heritage preservation association.