365 Steps to Heaven

Svatá Horais the most important Marian pilgrimage site in Bohemia. The early Baroque complex, featuring the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, cloisters and lavish decoration, has overlooked Příbram for more than three centuries. Yet even today, you may still find answers to some of life’s questions here.

A place steeped in legend

From the 15th century, only a small chapel stood on the site of today’s extensive complex; a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus was apparently moved there in the early 17th century. Today, this precious statue has its place right in the centre of the silver altar in the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. According to legend, it was carved by the Archbishop of Prague, Arnošt of Pardubice, himself. Since then, crowds of the faithful have been flocking to Svatá Hora to pray before the statue. 

The chapel at Svatá Hora was also visited by the blind Jan Procházka, who, according to legend, miraculously regained his sight there. In 1647, Svatá Hora was placed under the administration of the Jesuits, who had a well-designed Baroque complex built there according to the plans of the Italian architect Carlo Lurago. Since 1861, Svatá Hora has been cared for by the Redemptorist Order.

A treasure trove of Baroque art

The Svatá Hora complex is dominated by the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, situated on a raised terrace, where most church services are held. The basilica is surrounded by rectangular cloisters, at the corners of which stand four octagonal enclosed chapels. On the north-eastern side stands the residence where the Redemptorists – the clergy and administrators of Svatá Hora – live. 

The Svatá Hora complex also includes several monuments in the immediate vicinity. In front of the main entrance lies a square with a stone Marian column. On a nearby hillside, you can stop to see the Calvary sculpture or the Svatá Hora Oak, which, according to legend, was planted during the reign of Emperor Charles IV. To the south, the Svatá Hora complex is bordered by Toufar’s Meadow, a park featuring the Stations of the Cross and the Marian Spring. 

A covered staircase leads from the centre of Příbram up to Svatá Hora. There are said to be a total of 365 steps leading up to the Coronation Altar – one for each day of the year.

An opportunity for prayer and rest

If you’d like to learn more about the history of Svatá Hora, join a guided tour of the site. As part of other guided tours, you’ll also see other hidden corners of Svatá Hora: the clock tower, the cellars beneath the provost’s residence, the upper corridor of the residence, and the Svatá Hora belfry with its eight bells, five of which ring out during the popular bell concert. 

You can also visit the Svatá Hora Pilgrimage Museum, whose permanent exhibition explores the history of the pilgrimage site and the Jesuit Order, as well as the unique archaeological finds that were unearthed here during the 2015 restoration work.