Vítonice – Chapels, History and Landscape

Vítonice can be understood through its chapels, history and landscape. The sacred buildings are located in different places: on the village square, in the centre by a bridge, on a hill above the village, and outside the village towards Želetice. There is also the Křepický potok stream, the Akáty municipal grove and connections to wine-growing. If you choose a destination based on specific local features, you can explore architectural history and landscape side by side here.

Chapels in Vítonice and the Surrounding Area

A chapel built in 1937 and dedicated to the Holy Cross stands on the village square. The niche chapel of St John of Nepomuk was built in 1830 in the centre of Vítonice, by the bridge over the Křepička stream; it is near the road from Znojmo to Moravský Krumlov. In 2013, it was rebuilt at its original site and rededicated. The year it was built, its dedication and its rededication give this chapel a different history from the chapel on the village square.

The niche chapel of the Holy Trinity stands outside Vítonice towards Želetice. It was built around 1831 and extensively restored in 2007–2008. Another niche chapel stands on the hill above Vítonice, on the road to Hostěradice; it is listed as a cultural monument under number 48937/7-8337. For the Holy Trinity Chapel, the approximate construction date and restoration are part of its history; for the chapel on the hill, the monument number is a precise point of reference. The buildings therefore differ not only in their locations but also in the nature of their historical associations.

Local History and Pilgrimage

Vítonice was first mentioned in writing in 1341. The flood of 5 August 1845 is associated with a specific day of remembrance: several houses in the village collapsed at that time. A report from 1894 records that a procession of devout residents of Vítonice went to the church in Prosiměřice every year on this day of remembrance. This is a historical connection to the village’s past that offers another perspective on Vítonice alongside its chapels.

The pilgrimage in Vítonice takes place on the first Sunday in August. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the dates for the relevant year before making your plans. This gives you a specific recurring annual event as a point of reference for timing, while the historical information about the chapels and the procession plays a different role in planning your trip.

Landscape and Wine Connections

Vítonice lies in the Dyjskosvratecký úval basin; the surrounding area is mostly flat, particularly around Jevišovka. The Křepický potok stream flows through Vítonice. The Akáty municipal grove covers 12 hectares and consists mainly of acacia trees. Black elder, conifers, fruit trees, willows and poplars, among other plants, also grow along a stream. The description of the surrounding area as flat and the specific details about the stream and vegetation offer different perspectives on the landscape.

The wine-cellar area is about one kilometre outside Vítonice, towards Hostěradice. Another connection to wine is the historic Nad sklepy vineyard: in 2021, Vítonice’s winegrowers decided to restore it. Rulandské bílé (Pinot blanc), a grape variety historically grown in the region, was selected for the vineyard in Vítonice. For wine enthusiasts, this provides both a sense of location and specific connections to the village’s wine-growing history.

Discover more destinations: Skalice, Vevčice, Milíčovice, Lesná U Znojma, Hrabětice, Dyjákovice, Plenkovice, Strachotice

For the regional travel overview: Okres Znojmo.