Nelepeč-Žernůvka – Chapel, Forests and Trails

Nelepeč-Žernůvka combines an impressive chapel with a landscape of valleys, hills and extensive forests. If you are looking for a hotel or other accommodation for a stay combining culture, hiking and cycling, the town offers several clearly distinct points of interest: you can visit the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows, explore the landscape around Pasník and choose between various described routes.

Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows and Domov sv. Alžběty

The Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows was consecrated on 19 November 1930 and is open to visitors. Its design is distinguished by an elongated central building on a polygonal plan, a shallow apse and a prismatic turret above the western entrance façade. The terrace in front of the chapel also features statues of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia.

The chapel and Domov sv. Alžběty in Žernůvka were entrusted to the architect Jindřich Vágner and designed after the model of the Basilica of Saint Paul in Rome. Construction of the later Domov sv. Alžběty began in March 1930; it was initially intended as a convalescent home for Franciscan nuns. This brings together sacred architecture, a specific construction history and a historical connection that remains visible to this day in one location.

Valleys, Hills and Cultural-Historical Monuments

Žernůvka lies in a narrow valley of the Závistka stream. Nelepeč lies below a ridge at the foot of Pasník, which reaches 544 metres above sea level locally. Extensive forests stretch around Nelepeč-Žernůvka.

Other small monuments add to the area’s character. The historicist stone cross in Nelepeč-Žernůvka dates from 1868 and is regarded as a valuable cultural-historical monument. Near the edge of the town there is also a wooden cross with a naively designed silhouette of Christ painted on sheet metal, regarded as a remarkable monument of folk art.

Routes for Hikers and Cyclists

Several different route descriptions are available for active days. The challenging mountain bike route Deblín–Úsuší–Nelepeč–Žernůvka passes through small towns and runs along the Loučka and the Závistka stream. It thus connects several landscape features and incorporates Nelepeč-Žernůvka into a longer cycling tour.

The Žernůvka–Úsuší route begins in Žernůvka and leads via Nelepeč. It is 8.4 kilometres long and suitable for hikers and cyclists. Around Pasník and Loučský vrch, it follows a green-marked hiking trail.

Getting There and Further Orientation

The regular IDS JMK 312 bus service serves Nelepeč-Žernůvka hourly in both directions. In Tišnov, there are connections to trains towards Brno. The town can therefore be considered for arrival not only through its sights and landscape, but also through a documented public transport connection.

If you continue planning your trip beyond Nelepeč-Žernůvka, you will also find Tetčice (Tetčice), Prace (Prace), Holasice (Holasice), Brumov (Brumov), Ledce (Ledce), Branišovice (Branišovice), Rebešovice (Rebešovice) and Želešice (Želešice).

For the overarching travel overview: Brno-Country District.