St.-Silvester-Kapelle

The St Silvester Chapel stands in the village of Debant, part of the municipality of Nußdorf-Debant in East Tyrol. Built in 1670, it is a protected Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to Saint Silvester. The octagonal structure was commissioned by a Freiherr von Sternbach and a Herr von Staudach, according to local tradition. The chapel’s exterior features a tufa stone base and a small lantern with eight windows topped by an onion dome. A dated sundial on the south wall shows the initials of the patrons alongside an image of Saint Silvester. Inside, the domed ceiling is adorned with ribbed stucco patterns inspired by the work of Bartlmä Vierthaler, and the 17th-century altar was altered in the 19th century. The altarpiece depicts the two founders with Saint Silvester, and a legend explains the chapel’s origins through their shared ox. Visitors find a quiet space with a richly decorated interior. The altar includes a painted wooden frame that imitates marble and holds a copy of the 18th-century Gnadenbild Maria vom Guten Rat. Flanking the altar are statues of Saint Joachim and Saint Anna with the Virgin Mary, while side walls display Stations of the Cross from the same period. The chapel’s small size and careful craftsmanship make it a peaceful place to experience local Baroque art and history.