Loreto chapel in Starý Hrozňatov, Baroque pilgrimage chapel in Starý Hrozňatov, Czech Republic.
Loreto Chapel in Starý Hrozňatov is a Baroque pilgrimage site located on a hilltop within the larger Maria Loreto complex. The building displays classical architectural features with religious artwork adorning its walls and ceiling.
Jesuits from Cheb began the chapel in 1664, and the first Mass was celebrated there in 1667. The complex was completed in 1689 with support from Countess Heissenstein and local residents. After the last Mass in 1951, the border-zone site decayed; the bell tower burned in 1952. From 1992 Anton Hart's Waldsassen association funded repairs, and in 1994 the rebuilt chapel and three new bells were consecrated.
Pilgrims visit the chapel during religious celebrations and festivals, continuing traditions that have connected local communities to this place for hundreds of years. The site remains a focal point for faith and devotion in the region.
The entrance to the walled complex is on its western side, beneath a square bell tower topped by a double onion dome. The grounds stand on a hill northeast of Starý Hrozňatov, next to the filial Church of the Holy Spirit from 1557. In season, Czech Masses are held every two weeks and a German Mass once a month.
The restoration in the 1990s was made possible through donations and community effort after the building had been abandoned for decades. This local initiative saved the structure and its spiritual meaning for the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,327 contributors worldwide.