Miraculous well near Babice
The first mention of its effects dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. At that time, soldiers were returning from the Battle of Slavkov through Babice.
One of the officers there lost his eyesight in the battle. When he rubbed his eyes with the water from the spring, his sight returned. The next morning was Sunday, so the soldiers went to church. The healed officer headed there to thank God for the miracle. He reportedly took a seat by the pillar on which the painting of the Stations of the Cross with Veronica was hung. She handed Jesus a cloth to wipe himself. When he returned it to Veronica, the image of his face remained on the shroud. Just as Veronica was overjoyed to have the shroud returned, the officer felt the same joy at his healing. Before the service was over, he made a resolution to paint a picture of Saint Veronica and place it at the site of his healing.
The soldier asked the headquarters to allow him to stay briefly in Babice and paint the picture. He received permission. When the people of Babice learned of this, they decided to build a wooden chapel at the miraculous spring and place the painting there.
The officer is not the only one who was supposedly helped by the water," the mayor said. It was also supposed to cure the eye disease of Otto Albert Tichý, a composer and native of Martínkov, and the girl of Suchánek, a master mason from Lesonice. It is also said to have helped Mrs Juránková from Krasonice from a severe headache.
Places: spring Verunka, church of the Holy Trinity Babice
Characters: French army officer, soldiers, people at mass
History and cultural context: the fountain is said to have healing powers and improve eyesight, a popular place for trips and pilgrims
