chapel of St. Margita Antioch Church and parish cemetery

The chapel of Saint Margita Antiochian, located near the village Kopčany in Trnava region, is one of the oldest standing sacral buildings in Slovakia. The first mention of it comes from the year 1392, but its oldest construction phase dates back to the 9th to 10th century. The history of the chapel is closely linked to the Great Moravian period, when the seat Mikulčice-Vala was in its vicinity. On the basis of the aerial survey, the existence of an undiscovered large-scale go back yard south of the church, which should be part of this residence, is assumed. There were also small settlements around the chapel until the 13th century. After the destruction of the original Great Moravian fort, the inhabitants gradually moved until the last of them left in the 16th to 17th centuries.

Architecturally, the chapel is a pre-roman building with preserved original side walls. It is a single-boat structure ordered into the atrium, boat and presbytery. The length of the church with Nartex is 11.9 meters, the width of the boat and the Nartex 5.21 meters. During its existence the chapel was adapted several times, especially in the 13th century in Gothic style. It contains original first elements and architectural details, such as window openings, wall finishes, rolling vault in the presbytery and characters engraved in stone on the facade.

The church of St. Margita Antioch was the first subject of archaeological research in 1964. Further research has been carried out since 1994, with three graves with jewelry typical of the Great Moravian period and mortar in size and shape characteristic of the bricking and plastering phase in 2004. Dendrochronological analysis showed that the chapel was built in the second half of the 10th century, as confirmed by radiocarbon analysis with dating year 925 ± 60.

Today, the Chapel of Saint Margita Antioch is declared a national cultural monument. It is surrounded by Cyrilometodej road and blue tourist route No. 2452 (Rieka Morava, lava - St. Margita church). The chapel is located 800 meters northwest of the village Kopčany and is available through an asphalt road or a threshing bike path from the eastern end of the village. Asphalt bike path can also be used from the direction of the Holíč Castle, and connects the chapel with the center Lávka Veľká Morava.

The church of Saint Margita Antioch is an important element of Slovak cultural heritage. Its historical importance and architectural uniqueness are reasons for visiting. It offers insight into the Great Moravian period and an opportunity to understand the development of sacral buildings in Slovakia. Visiting the chapel is a suitable option for anyone interested in historical monuments and cultural heritage.