At Žďár's Zelená hora, repairs of the ambulatory continue, tours are not restricted

Žďár nad Sázavou - In the pilgrimage area of Zelená hora in Žďár nad Sázavou, which is a UNESCO heritage site, craftsmen have been working on the repairs of the ambulatory since spring. Tourist visits do not limit these works. Around 30,000 people have visited the work of architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichl this season. The interest is great, said the castle administrator Michaela Řeháčková to ČTK. Thousands more have come to Zelená hora this year for religious ceremonies, festivals, and other events.

"I believe we have returned to the classic pre-COVID visitation numbers," the castle administrator commented on this year's visitor count. Tours will take place daily until the end of September and on weekends in October.

Mass is held at Zelená hora every Saturday. Once a month, Nikodem's night occurs there, offering a quiet church space for contemplation or prayer. According to the castle administrator, many pilgrims are also requesting private masses outside the regular schedule. After last year's completion of repairs to the church, weddings have returned, and there are sometimes funeral services as well. Tours have taken place even during repairs, provided that anti-epidemic measures allowed it.

The Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená hora was consecrated on September 27, 1722. The cultural program for this year's 300th anniversary of the consecration was prepared by the Roman Catholic parish in collaboration with the town, the association Journey for Santini, the Kinský Castle, and with the support of other partners. Events have been taking place since May and will culminate in a folk costume pilgrimage on September 28.

The church at Zelená hora returned to the parish after decades in 2014. "The past eight years have been challenging, but hopefully also fulfilling," said Dean Vladimír Vojtěch Záleský. In addition to extensive repairs, the parish has been working to improve the guiding service and services for pilgrims. "Zelená hora truly attracts many people, which is why we also strive for a suitable selection of cultural programs and concerts of spiritual music," the dean told ČTK.

For guests arriving, the main focus is on the church listed as a UNESCO heritage site, but for most parishioners, according to the dean, the heart is the basilica, which serves as the parish church. "I am increasingly aware of this connection. As long as there is a vibrant community living here as a family, Zelená hora will have 'solid ground beneath its feet'," he stated. The basilica is located in the area of the former monastery under Zelená hora.

The four-year renovation of the Church of Zelená hora, completed last year, cost approximately 48 million crowns, funded by European grants. The church has a repaired facade and windows. The interior's ornamental decorations, altars, and a floor made of tiles of various shapes and colors have been restored. The former cemetery between the church and the ambulatory has been transformed back into a pilgrimage meadow.

The repairs of the ambulatory surrounding the church will cost over one hundred million crowns, also funded by the EU. The plasterwork will be repaired, and the stucco decorations will be restored. An artistically designed Stations of the Cross will be placed in the ambulatory.

Zelená hora has had three new bells since September 2016, as it had not been ringing for three-quarters of a century. The original bells were confiscated during the war.