Starohorská kaple

Starohorská Chapel is a small Baroque pilgrimage chapel located about a kilometer from the town of Ivančice in South Moravia, along the road leading to the village of Neslovice. It was built in 1750 above a spring, which explains its original purpose: a place where water was regarded as a source of grace rather than just a landscape feature. The chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and falls under the administration of the Roman Catholic parish of Ivančice.

What's the history behind the chapel?

Starohorská Chapel dates back to the mid-18th century, a period when small sacred structures were commonly built across Moravia at springs and along roads — often as votive offerings or resting points for pilgrims travelling to the region's larger shrines. Its distinctive hexagonal floor plan sets it apart from the more common rectangular roadside chapels and suggests the founders had somewhat grander ambitions than a simple wayside shrine. The chapel has not functioned as an active parish church with regular services for a long time; today it comes to life mainly once a year, during its traditional pilgrimage.

When should you visit to see it "in action"?

The best time to visit is the Sunday closest to September 8, the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. That's when a local pilgrimage draws visitors to Starohorská Chapel — a custom that has persisted in this part of Moravia for generations, even though the chapel itself stands quiet the rest of the year, without regular masses. Visitors arriving on any other day can expect a calm, intimate spot away from the crowds — but no guarantee that the chapel will be open.

How do you get to Starohorská Chapel?

The chapel stands on the left side of the road from Ivančice to Neslovice, about 1 km from the town center. That's an easy distance to cover on foot or by bike — Ivančice itself is a small town, so it takes only a short walk to reach its outskirts. For anyone exploring Ivančice, a walk out to the chapel and back makes a natural extension of a stroll through the town, especially for visitors with an interest in the region's sacred architecture.

What is there to see on site?

The chapel's main draw is its structure itself — Baroque, hexagonal, and now more than 270 years old. It's modest architecture compared to Moravia's larger shrines, but that very simplicity, combined with its spring-side setting, gives the place a distinctly contemplative character. Keep in mind that the chapel has no fixed opening hours or regular services — this isn't an active parish church but a site of pilgrimage and historical value, administered by the Roman Catholic parish of Ivančice.

Frequently asked questions

Are there regular masses held at the chapel? No — Starohorská Chapel has no fixed schedule of services. It's mainly active during the annual pilgrimage on the Sunday closest to September 8.

How far is the chapel from the center of Ivančice? About 1 kilometer, on the left side of the road leading from Ivančice to Neslovice.

Why was the chapel built in this particular spot? It was built in 1750 above a spring — the water source was the original reason this location was chosen for a sacred building.

Is it worth combining a visit to the chapel with sightseeing in Ivančice? Yes, especially for anyone interested in local sacred architecture and Moravia's pilgrimage traditions — the one-way walk takes only a few minutes.