Pilgrimage routes

The pilgrimage to Svatá Hora near Příbram is one of the oldest and liveliest spiritual traditions in Bohemia. For centuries, pilgrims have walked here, often from great distances, to ask for help, give thanks or seek inner peace. The pilgrimage was not just a journey through space, but above all a journey of inner transformation, silence and prayer. Each step had its own meaning and physical exertion was seen as part of a spiritual sacrifice. The Holy Mountain was seen as a place of special closeness to God and the Virgin Mary, where one came with an open heart. Traditional pilgrimages took place on Marian feasts, but pilgrims also came individually throughout the year. The paths led through the countryside, villages and forests, forming a natural network of spiritual arteries linking the regions. The pilgrimage promoted the meeting of people, the sharing of faith and human stories. Even today, pilgrimage traditions are being renewed and taking on a new dimension - reaching out to believers, seekers and those who want to slow down and step out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Svatá Hora thus remains a destination where the past naturally meets the present. The pilgrimage route here becomes not just a journey to a place, but a journey to oneself.

In the coming years, with your help, we would like to prepare several walking pilgrimage routes from different parts of the country, so that the pilgrimage to Svatá Hora becomes a Czech Camino. If you would like to participate in the creation of this project, please write to basilica@farnost-svatahora.cz. Here is an overview of the most famous pilgrimage (walking) routes. Neither of them is specially marked yet, you can be the first to support this project by completing it and preparing it for others.

The routes are listed in order of length in km.

<details class="accordion"> <summary>1. BŘEZNICE ROUTE</summary> <p><b>Březnice - Chrást - Třebsko - Příbram - Svatá Hora</b><br><br> <b>Short history:</b><br> One of the oldest historically documented pilgrimage routes to Svatá Hora. As early as the 17th century it was equipped with stops and served mainly parish and regional pilgrimages from Březnice.<br><br> <b>Length:</b> approx. 16-18 km<br> <b>Elevation:</b> moderate<br> <b>Number of days:</b> 1<br> <b>Stages:</b><br> 1. Březnice - Chrást ...... 6 km<br> 2. Chrást - Třebsko ...... 5 km<br> 3. Trebsko - Příbram ...... 4-5 km<br> 4. Příbram - Svatá Hora ...... 6 km<br><br> <b>Most interesting points:</b> Březnice castle, preserved and commemorated stops of the pilgrimage route, historical landscape of Podbrdsko, ceremonial arrival to Svatá Hora<br> <b>Places to stay:</b> Březnice (guesthouses - rather rarely needed), Příbram, Svatá Hora<br> <b>Challenges:</b> not always clear historical route guidance<br></p> </details>

<details class="accordion"> <summary>2. BRDSKÁ / DOBŘÍŠ ROUTE</summary> <p><b>Dobříš - Voznice - Háje - Příbram - Svatá Hora</b><br><br> <b>Short history:</b><br> Traditional regional access from Dobříš through Brdy, used by individuals and groups, now popular for day or night pilgrimages.<br><br> <b>Length:</b> approx. 28-32 km<br> <b>Elevation:</b> significantly undulating terrain<br> <b>Number of days:</b> 1-2<br> <b>Stages:</b><br> 1. Dobříš - Voznice ...... 10 km<br> 2. Voznice - Háje ...... 10-12 km<br> 3. Háje - Příbram ...... 6-8 km<br> 4. Příbram - Svatá Hora ...... 6 km<br><br> <b>Most interesting points:</b> Brda forests, Dobříš castle, Skalka near Dobříš, quiet natural landscape of Podbrdsko.<br> <b>Places to stay:</b> Dobříš, Příbram / Svatá Hora<br> <b>Detriments:</b> long forest stretches without services<br></p> </details>