Kaple Panny Marie, Religious chapel in České Žleby, Czech Republic

The Chapel of the Virgin Mary is a wooden pilgrimage chapel in the mixed forests near České Žleby, in the Stožec municipality, at 950 m above sea level. Stožecká skála rises above it to 974 m, and a spring-fed well sits just below the building.

The first wooden chapel was built in 1791 by Volary blacksmith Jakub Klauser as thanks for his sight, which legend says returned when he washed his eyes at the spring. Rebuilt in stone and wood in 1804, it passed from Volary to the Schwarzenbergs and was entrusted to České Žleby. Extended in 1867, abandoned in 1946 and restored in 1987–1988, it was reconsecrated in 1990.

Pilgrims from both the Czech and Bavarian sides of Šumava came to this forest chapel, with large processions held on 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption. In 1920 as many as 5,000 people attended the pilgrimage. Annual pilgrimages continue today, the main one on the nearest Sunday to 15 August, and a restored Stations of the Cross leads up from České Žleby.

The chapel is accessible via marked hiking trails that pass through České Žleby, with parking available nearby. The best time to visit is spring through fall, when forest paths are easiest to navigate.

A faithful copy of the Stožec chapel was built in 1983–1985 in the nearby Bavarian village of Philippsreut, by the Strážný/Philippsreut border crossing. The original wooden chapel was erected in 1791 by Volary blacksmith Jakub Klauser as thanks for his sight, which a legend says returned after he washed his eyes at the spring here.