⛪ Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora
Czech Republic
About This Sacred Site
The Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora (Green Hill), near Žďár nad Sázavou, is a remarkable Baroque-Gothic church designed by architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel. Built in 1719–1722, the church's plan is based on a five-pointed star — symbolizing the five stars said to have appeared above the head of St. John of Nepomuk when he was martyred. Its inventive geometry and interplay of concave and convex surfaces make it unique in European architecture.
Key Facts
- •Designed by Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel in a unique Baroque-Gothic style (1719–1722)
- •The five-pointed star plan references the legend of five stars around the martyred saint
- •St. John of Nepomuk was drowned in the Vltava River in 1393 on the king's orders
- •Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994
- •The surrounding cloister and cemetery are also laid out in star-shaped geometry
Location
Coordinates: 49.5781, 15.9605
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