Via Sacra - Czech pilgrimage route
Eight stations of the Via Sacra are located in the Czech Republic, in northern Bohemia. The pilgrimage church of the Visitation of Mary in Hejnice/Haindorf has its origin in a Marian legend: A seriously ill woman and her child were miraculously healed because the family father had followed the request of an angel and attached an image of the Virgin Mary, carved by a carver from Zittau, to a lime tree. The tree and later its stump with the statue of Mater Formosa ("The noble graceful mother") quickly became a pilgrimage site. Haindorf became an important pilgrimage destination and was often called Bohemian Mariazell. Today, the church at the foot of the Jizera Mountains is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Bohemia as well as the tri-border area.
Directions
From Zittau, you can connect from the German pilgrimage route Via Sacra to the Czech Via Sacra. Since it is a circular route, you are free to start in whichever direction you prefer. One possible variant would be the pilgrimage from Zittau via Hradek nad Nisou continuing to Hejnice and Liberec, via Mnichovo Hradiste and Bela pod Bezdezem to Doksy and Kamenicky Senov. Via Jablonné v Podještědí and Rumburk the circle closes back to Zittau.
Recommended equipment
Sturdy footwear and enough water are recommended on the pilgrimage route.
Safety notice
Always pay attention to your path and other road users.
Contact and arrival
Arrival to Zittau for example via the B96 from the direction of Oppach.
Arrival to Liberec for example via Dresden – A4 – Bautzen – Zittau – Liberec (new construction of the Upper Lusatia expressway B178) – no car vignette is necessary on the expressway R35 (Zittau – Liberec – Turnov).