Poutní kostel sv. Jana Nepomuckého na Zelené Hoře
Poutní kostel sv. Jana Nepomuckého na Zelené Hoře is located near Žďár nad Sázavou. One of the most photogenic places in the Vysočina Region is a masterpiece of Baroque Gothic architecture, designed by Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel. The idea to build a pilgrimage church came from Abbot Václav Vejmluva in 1719. The abbot was inspired to pursue this concept by the discovery of preserved tissue in the tomb of John of Nepomuk, who was to be celebrated through the church as a saint and powerful patron. The beatification and canonisation of John of Nepomuk took place precisely at the time of the church's foundation.
The church was built in the early 1720s, with construction financed by the local Cistercian monastery. The foundation stone was laid on 16 May 1720, and the consecration of the temple took place on 27 September 1722. The architecture of the temple is timeless and remains unaffected by the conventional elements of the era in which it was created. The ground plan of the structure takes the shape of a five-pointed star. The number 5 is also present in other elements: the church features five chapels and five altars, visitors will see five stars and five angels on the high altar, the ambulatory surrounding the temple is in the shape of a ten-pointed star and contains five gates. This symbolism derives from the legend according to which a crown with five stars appeared at the site where John of Nepomuk drowned. This number may also signify the five wounds of Christ.
In July 1784, a fire broke out and completely destroyed the roof of the church, and the monastery was abolished two months later. Re-roofing was achieved solely thanks to the local inhabitants. In 1792, the Moravian-Silesian Gubernium permitted the repair of the church, conditioned upon the relocation of the cemetery to the complex, the church serving as a funeral chapel, and neither the bishopric nor the Gubernium providing financial participation in the repair and subsequent operation. Since 1994, the pilgrimage church has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In August 2014, management of the complex was taken over by the Roman Catholic Parish in Žďár nad Sázavou after more than 50 years. The surroundings of the church were originally bare; reforestation took place around the mid-19th century, renewed deforestation began in 2006, and the surroundings of the church have been in their original state since 2007. Extensive reconstruction took place within the complex from the spring of 2018 until October 2021, with restorers focusing on the renovation of both the exterior (windows, facades) and the interior (plaster, floors, stucco decoration, and furnishings). The project also included the restoration of the pilgrimage meadow near the church.
From April to October, a guided tour is prepared for visitors to the complex. Accompanied by a guide, visitors walk through the main western entrance gate, then across the cemetery directly into the church itself over the course of 45 minutes. Booking the tour in advance is recommended. The pilgrimage church complex is partially accessible to wheelchair users, though an accompanying person is advised during the tour.
Žďár nad Sázavou and its surroundings provide interesting opportunities for all types of tourists. In the event that visitors are interested in history, exploring the Žďár nad Sázavou Chateau alongside the church is certainly desirable. However, those drawn to nature may venture into the Žďárské vrchy Hills. For swimming in summer, the nearby Velké Dářko Lake is ideal.
Plenty of accommodation near the Poutní kostel sv. Jana Nepomuckého na Zelené Hoře can be found, and finding the right one for visitors is guaranteed. Žďár nad Sázavou offers interesting modern and design apartments, family guesthouses with a pleasant atmosphere, and hotels providing comprehensive care. Should the town not suit preferences, accommodation capacities in nearby Světnov can also be considered, where cosy cottages or private lodging are available. Whether visitors are believers or not, the Poutní kostel sv. Jana Nepomuckého na Zelené Hoře is certain to leave a strong impression. Visitors are invited to come and see for themselves by finding accommodation for their stay right away!
