The Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora
The Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora is one of the most fascinating religious buildings in Europe. This UNESCO monument is situated in Žďár nad Sázavou, Czech Republic, near the border between Bohemia and Moravia.
It is the final work of talented Bohemian architect Jan Santini, a visionary, who by combining Baroque and Gothic traditions achieved the grandiosity of the church which reflects the powerful story of St. John of Nepomuk, the Czech saint. The story of St. John of Nepomuk is symbolically interwoven into the construction of the church. St. John of Nepomuk was killed because he refused to divulge the queen’s confessed secrets to the king and died a martyr’s death in 1393, his dead body being thrown from Charles Bridge in Prague into the River Vltava.
According to the legend five stars appeared above his head and since then, the number five has become a symbol of this saint. The church is characteristic of these symbolic features, with "the number 5 being dominant in the layout and proportions" of the church. It is a place which will amaze you with its complex symbolism and unique architecture.
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