World Heritage Identification Number: 690
World Heritage since: 1994
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Religious Sites & Sacred Architecture
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇨🇿 Czechia
Continent: Europe
UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America
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The Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora: A Unique Architectural Masterpiece
The Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora, located near Ždár nad Sázavou in Moravia, Czech Republic, stands as a testament to the exceptional architectural prowess of its creator, Jan Blazej Santini. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, this unique structure embodies the fusion of neo-Gothic and Baroque styles that characterizes Santini's highly original oeuvre.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
This pilgrimage church, built in honour of St John of Nepomuk, stands at Zelená Hora, not far from Ždár nad Sázavou in Moravia. Constructed at the beginning of the 18th century on a star-shaped plan, it is the most unusual work by the great architect Jan Blazej Santini, whose highly original style falls between neo-Gothic and Baroque.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (iv): The Church of St. John Nepomuk is an outstanding example of an architectural style that spanned the transition between the Gothic and Baroque traditions.
Encyclopedia Record: Pilgrimage Church of Saint John of Nepomuk
The Pilgrimage Church of Saint John of Nepomuk at Zelená hora is a religious building at the edge of Žďár nad Sázavou, Czech Republic, near the historical border between Moravia and Bohemia. It is the final work of Johann Santini Aichel, a Bohemian architect who combined the Borrominiesque Baroque with references to Gothic elements in both construction and decoration.Additional Site Details
Area: 0.64 hectares
Number of Components: 1
Coordinates: 49.5802 , 15.9420583333
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© Jan Beránek, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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The application of geopolymers in the renovation of the historical ceramic tiles in the pilgrimage church of St. John of Nepomuk (Czech Republic)
A groundbreaking restoration project at the UNESCO-listed Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk demonstrates the potential of tailored geopolymer materials for preserving historical ceramic tiles. Researchers successfully developed geopolymer mixtures that met the specific demands of restorers, including controlled setting times, color consistency, and surface hardness. By conducting extensive experiments—ranging from laboratory bonding tests to in-situ applications—the study proved that geopolymers can effectively reinforce damaged tiles while adapting to environmental conditions like temperature fluctuations. This approach offers a durable, innovative solution for the conservation of cultural heritage, particularly for delicate ceramic mosaics.
Perná, I., Novotná, M., Hanzlíček, T., Rafl, J., & Nováková, M. (2025). The application of geopolymers in the renovation of the historical ceramic tiles in the pilgrimage church of St. John of Nepomuk (Czech Republic). Case Studies in Construction Materials, 22, e04161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2024.e04161
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The characterization and renovation of parterre floor tiles in the pilgrimage church of St. John of Nepomuk (Czech Republic)
A meticulously designed renovation of the parterre floor tiles at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk, successfully restored its original aesthetic and structural integrity. Researchers reconstructed the lost tile layout using computer simulations based on surviving fragments, ensuring fidelity to the original color and shape combinations. The new ceramic mass and decoration techniques were inspired by ancient Czech ceramic traditions, providing both historical authenticity and durability. This restoration not only preserves a critical element of the church's heritage but also demonstrates innovative methods for maintaining cultural landmarks under conservation constraints.
Hanzlíček, T., Perná, I., Michoinová, D., & Rafl, J. (2023). The characterization and renovation of parterre floor tiles in the pilgrimage church of St. John of Nepomuk (Czech Republic). Case Studies in Construction Materials, 19, e02297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2023.e02297
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Pilgrimage Church Of Saint John Of Nepomuk Within Religious Tourism
A case study reveals that while awareness of Christian pilgrimage sites in the Czech Republic is low, nearly half of respondents expressed interest in participating in such journeys. The Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora could attract more visitors through targeted promotion emphasizing its role as a pilgrimage destination and by enhancing services for pilgrims. The research, combining quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and data analysis, also found that the church's return to the Roman Catholic Church in 2014 has reignited interest in restoring it as a significant pilgrimage site.
Hruša, P., & Černá*, M. (2019). Pilgrimage Church Of Saint John Of Nepomuk Within Religious Tourism. The European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences, 528–539. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2019.02.02.58
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