Zakřany – Chapel, History and Trails

Zakřany brings together the architectural history of the Chapel of St. Donát and archaeological and medieval references to the settlement. The chapel stands at the centre; together with the village square, the municipal office, and the fire-water reservoir, it forms the natural centre of the municipality. The trails also differ clearly in their described characteristics: a 461-metre educational trail runs alongside the Stezka permoníků through hilly terrain.

The Chapel of St. Donát and Its Architectural History

The present-day Chapel of St. Donát was built in 1888, after the previous chapel, dating from 1856, had been demolished. It was consecrated on 15 June 1890. Construction and consecration mark two separate events and years: 1888 is the year the present-day chapel was built, while 1890 is the year it was consecrated. This valuable historicist building features Romanesque architectural elements on the exterior and Baroque elements in the interior. These stylistic references therefore relate to different parts of the building. Together with its central location, they make the chapel a tangible point of reference for the local architectural and community history.

Early Traces and a Medieval Mention

Archaeological finds show that the area of Zakřany was already inhabited in the Neolithic period. The first written mention of the settlement dates from 1350. It records that Oldřich ze Zakřan transferred two lán fields to Kateřina, the wife of Vilém ze Skalice. The archaeological evidence and the medieval account offer different insights: the finds point to early settlement, while the mention from 1350 records a specific transaction involving named individuals. The year 1350 is therefore the first written mention, not the beginning of settlement.

Wayside Shrine Northwest of Zakřany

Northwest of Zakřany, in an open field beside the road towards Vysoké Popovice, stands a freestanding masonry wayside shrine, a boží muka. Its four-sided pyramidal roof is covered with sheet metal, and an equal-armed cross rises above it. Its form and location distinguish this structure from the chapel in the centre of the municipality: here, the freestanding position and clearly described roof shape define its architectural character. By contrast, the chapel is notable for its central location and its Romanesque and Baroque architectural elements.

Educational Trail and the Stezka permoníků

The educational trail between the South Moravian municipalities of Zakřany and Zbýšov u Brna runs parallel to the road and is 461 metres long. It is intended to educate children and adults. A description from October 2019 also says that the trail is illuminated. If lighting is important for your plans, check its current status in advance.

The Stezka permoníků is described differently: it leads through hilly terrain with wide views and shady forests, and includes climbs, level sections, and fords. Conditions may vary along individual sections. One of the route’s stops in Zakřany is a smírčí kámen. The two trails can be distinguished by their documented features: the educational trail is described in terms of its length and educational purpose, while the Stezka permoníků is characterised by its scenery and varied terrain. Zakřany thus offers a range of local topics for travellers interested in architectural history, local history, or trail descriptions.

Discover more destinations: Dolní Loučky, Pravlov, Rozdrojovice, Bukovice, Drásov, Veverská Bítýška, Holasice, Deblín.

Return to the main travel overview: Brno-Country District.