In the Žďár area, more of Santini's buildings will be open this summer, connected by a trail

Chapel of Saint Anne, Panenské Břežany

Žďár nad Sázavou – In the Žďár region, people will be able to visit a larger number of buildings by architect Jan Blažej Santini Aichl this summer. They are connected by the Santini Trail, which measures over 40 kilometers. In addition to the Green Mountain in Žďár and the basilica in the castle below it, there will be daily tours from July 1 to the end of August at the churches of Saint Wenceslaus in Zvoli and Saints Peter and Paul in Bobrová. Those interested in visiting all four locations can also purchase a combined ticket, which will be valid throughout the holidays. This was announced today by David Štěpánek, director of the Koruna Vysočiny destination company.

The trail leads through the landscape along marked paths, and one can also stop at other Santini buildings along the way. "Santini has left us a legacy in the region that transcends the boundaries of centuries with its depth and mysticism. Our goal was not to create just another tourist route on the map.

Castle Karlova Koruna

The Santini Trail is an invitation to modern pilgrimage," Štěpánek stated. A description of the trail is available on the Koruna Vysočiny website, and flyers will be available at the open monuments. Guiding texts are prepared in Czech, English, and German.

This year's trail season will be a pilot program. "If the model proves successful and people find their way to Santini's legacy in this form, we plan to expand the project in the next year over more months and connect it with other architectural gems in the region," Štěpánek added.

The Koruna Vysočiny project collaborates with parishes and municipalities. The Czech Tourist Club supplemented the signposting where needed. Pedestrians can thus walk the trail along marked paths, and for cycling, Santini's cycling route can be used.

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist

The basic admission fee will be 80 crowns in the churches in Zvoli and Bobrová, and a reduced price of 60 crowns. In the church of Saint John of Nepomuk on Green Mountain and in the Žďár basilica, the prices are set by a price list. "Those interested in visiting all four monuments will also be able to buy a combined ticket with a basic price of 350 crowns and a reduced price of 250 crowns," said Ondřej Vobejda, the custodian at Green Mountain.

A number of projects were commissioned from Jan Blažej Santini (1677–1723) by Václav Vejmluva, the abbot of the former Cistercian monastery in Žďár. This has resulted in several buildings in the region in the style of so-called baroque gothic.

Pilgrimage Church of Saint John of Nepomuk on Green Mountain

Near Santini monuments that pilgrims will pass on the trail, there will be information boards. In Ostrov nad Oslavou, Santini's work is the former coaching inn, while in Obyčtov, there is the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. At the end of Bobrová, there are red wayside crosses in the shape of a crystal. The Žďár Lower Cemetery is also open during the holidays.