Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora
Poutní kostel sv. Jana Nepomuckého na Zelené hoře
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this unique pilgrimage church captivates visitors with its star-shaped layout, Santini's Baroque Gothic architecture, and rich symbolism centered around the number five.

🌟 A unique pilgrimage church, a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its star-shaped layout and Santini's baroque gothic architecture.
⛪ The site offers various guided tours, educational programs, and cultural events.

Why Go

✨ Experience a UNESCO World Heritage site
📐 Admire Santini's unique Baroque Gothic architecture, a masterpiece of its kind
🚶‍♀️ Explore the church interior with diverse guided tours
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Enjoy family-friendly summer programs and educational offerings
🎶 Attend special night tours with musical accompaniment

History & Symbolism

📜 Built between 1720-1722 by architect Jan Blažej Santini Aichel and Abbot Václav Vejmluva, the church celebrates St. John of Nepomuk.
🔢 Its design is deeply rooted in the symbolism of the number five, reflecting the legend of five stars appearing over St. John's body.
⭐ This includes the church's five-pointed star floor plan, five exits, five altar niches, and five angels on the main altar.
🔥 The site suffered a devastating fire in 1784 but was later rescued and extensively restored between 2016-2024, including its ambits.

🚶‍♀️Tours

The church offers several visitor tours:
• "Hvězda mezi hvězdami" (Star among stars): Main tour from the gate into the church interior.
• "Až na vrchol..." (To the top...): Special summer tour in July and August, accessing the first and second floors.
• "Mimořádný okruh" (Extraordinary tour): Available outside regular hours by appointment.
• "La Notte di Santini": Special night tour with musical accompaniment, focusing on Santini's symbolism.

⏰ Hours

• April: Saturday, Sunday, Holidays: 09:00 - 16:00
• May - September: Monday - Sunday, Holidays: 09:00 - 17:00
• October: Saturday, Sunday, Holidays: 09:00 - 16:00
• November: Saturday, Sunday, Holidays: 09:00 - 15:00
• November - March: Tuesday, Thursday: 10:00 - 15:00

🙏 Church Services

• Saturday: 16:30 Holy Mass
• 16th of each month: 20:00 - 22:00 Nicodemus Night
• December 31st: 23:00 Holy Mass

🎉 Events & Programs

The site hosts various events:
• Summer program for families with children (July 9 - Aug 27)
• Exhibitions
• St. John's Pilgrimage
• Costume Pilgrimage
• Nativity Scene Exhibition
• Educational programs for schools available year-round, focusing on nature, history, architecture, art, and monastic life.

ℹ️ Managed By

The Pilgrimage Church is managed by the Roman Catholic Parish of Žďár nad Sázavou – II.

Tags
churchhistorical siteUNESCOarchitecturepilgrimage siteguided toursfamily-friendlycultural monument