IMPORTANT FIGURES Discovering the Santini Code LENGTH DURATION Žďár nad Sázavou 5 km 1 Day Venture into the heart of the Vysočina to see the work of the greatest Baroque architect, the genius Jan Blažej Santini Aichel, whose buildings still fascinate us with their perfect composition, purity of design and a number of symbolic references. See how cleverly San- tini used the symbolics of the number 5 in the Pilgrimage Church at the Green Mountain, fi nd out about his times in the interactive museum in nearby Žďár Monastery and discover the sights in the historic center of Žďár. Recommended Žďár nad Sázavou Chateau with its unique multimedia exhibition on Santini and the local history The Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk at the Green Mountain, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site #VisitCZ @czechrepublic @VisitCZ CzechTourism 1 How to get to the starting point Ždár nad Sázavou is a stop for some express trains from Prague to Brno and is also accessible by bus. From the train or bus station, take one of the city busses to the Žďár nad Sázavou – zámek stop (several lines). Start 1. Chateau Žďár nad Sázavou We recommend to start the Santini expedition with a tour of the grounds of the former Cistercian monastery. This is where Santini’s acti vities around Žďár started. The brilliant architect was invited by its ambitious Abbot Václav Vejmluva and Santini took part in the rebuild Chateau Žďár nad Sázavou of the monastery, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption and St. © Muzeum Nové generace, archiv Vysočina Tourism Nicholas. Unfortunately, most of Santini’s inter ventions have been lost. Do not miss the unique After a major fi re in 1784, the monastery was closed and later rebuilt multimedia exhibition at into a chateau by Count Josef Vratislav of Mitrovice. the museum, which will Opening times: provide a total immersion July 1 – August 31: Mon – Sun, 9 AM – 6 PM experience involving times September 1 – October 31: Tue – Sun, 9 AM – 6 PM around the foundation of the November 1 – April 30: Tue – Sun, 9 AM – 5 PM monastery, as well as the May 1 – June 30: Tue – Sun, 9 AM – 6 PM famous Santini era and help you understand the genius loci. ًّ Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhT3ROKyEDQ Expect anything but boring ًّ displays and long captions. More information: http://www.zamekzdar.cz/ 300 m 2. The Lower Cemetery This Baroque cemetery was ordered by Abbot Vejmluva from Santini as a measure against plague epidemics. However, the plague failed to aff ect Žďár as badly as expected, so the cemetery was used for regular burials. Originally, it had only three chapels arranged in a triangle, which was Santini’s reference to the Holy Trinity. It was enlarged to The Lower Cemetery © Archiv Vysočina Tourism its current size in mid 18th century. If you have time and want to enjoy the surrounding landscape, take the Okolo Zelené hory/Around the Green Mountain educational trail. This 4.5 kilometre-long circuit around the Konventský and Bránský ponds takes you to all important sights in the area (the Lower Cemetery, the chateau and a Baroque bridge) and give you an opportunity to forget about the busy world around. #VisitCZ @czechrepublic @VisitCZ CzechTourism 2 500 m 3. Baroque Bridge Before walking from the chateau toward the Pilgrim Church on the Green Mountain, make sure to stop at the baroque bridge linking the Konventský and Branský ponds. Its sculptures are reminiscent of those on the Prague’s Charles Bridge. Baroque Bridge © Archiv Vysočina Tourism 600 m 4. Green Mountain Santini put his entire life experience in the Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk and made it alive with a game of symbols that con- tinues to fascinate visitors from around the world to this day. One of the biggest experts on Baroque architecture, professor Mojmír Hrdina, said the following about this monumental work, added to the UNESCO Green Mountain © Jaroslav Mareš World Heritage Site List in 1994: „Santini’s Green Mountain is like poetry… whereas 20th century buildings are like vulgar shouts.“ The Pilgrimage Church was ordered by Abbot Vaclav Vejmluva after the 1719 discovery of John of Nepomuk’s tissues, preserved in his tomb in the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague. Vejmluva also came up with the idea that the unifying element of the building was to be a fi ve-point star – the same star allegedly appeared on the Vltava River where he Nepomuk was drowned. Santini was able to transform this idea into a magical layout, in which the motive of the number 5 mixes with references to other Christian and Cabbala symbols. The church was consecrated a year before Santini’s death. Opening times: April: Sat – Sun, 9 AM – 5 PM May – September: Mon – Sun, 9 AM – 5 PM October: Sat – Sun, 9 AM – 5 PM November – March: Closed, guided tours upon request /More information: http://www.zelena-hora.cz ًّ #VisitCZ @czechrepublic @VisitCZ CzechTourism 3 3,5 km 5. Žďár nad Sázavou – town centre Although most visitors just pass through the town on their way to the fabled Green Mountain, the historic center of Žďár, with its Church of St. Procopius, fort, the historic Town Hall and the Baroque plague column is also worth a visit. Enjoy the pleasant atmosphere in one of the many cafes, and. if travelling with children, do not forget to include Žďár nad Sázavou a visit to the Model Railway Kingdom, where one of the largest model railways, inspired by the Vysočina landscape, is on display. Opening times: January – June, September – December: Sat – Sun, 10 AM – 5 PM July – August: Wed – Thu 10 AM – 5 PM, Sun 10 AM – 5 PM /http://www.mkzdar.cz ًّ Žďár is, unlike Jihlava or Humpolec, an as-yet undiscovered beer enthusiast destination in the Vysočina. In recent years, two original small breweries were opened there – a traditionally- focused Revolta Brewery and Mazaný lišák (Cunning Fox), which ofers a number of ale-type specials. Ask for them in the local pubs. Possible extension: The strangest of Santini’s Churches If you have time and have come by car, extend your trip to the nearby Obyčtov and Ostrov nad Oslavou, where you will fi nd two unique and virtually unknown Santini buildings. 11 km 6. The Turtle Church in Obyčtov During his work for the Cistercians in Žďár, Santini also designed a number of other buildings nearby. If you have time and want to discover less known architectural gems, go to Obyčtov. Its Church of Visitation of the Virgin Mary was built after Santini‘s death, but the plans are signed by the genius architect. And what plans they were. The The Turtle Church in Obyčtov © Archiv Vysočina Tourism building‘s footprint and its central nave are modelled on a turtle. Ac- cording to art historians, Santini may have referenced a turtle because for Christians, it is a symbol of endurance, loyalty and patience in faith. #VisitCZ @czechrepublic @VisitCZ CzechTourism 4 2 km 7. Santini’s Inn, Ostrov nad Oslavou A real Santini curiosity awaits you in Ostrov nad Oslavou. It is the former monastery inn, designed by Santini for the Cistercians in 1720, one of few well-preserved secular Baroque building in the country. The building was returned to its pre-war owners in the 1990’s and has been refurbished ever since. We hope it will soon return to its former glory. Ostrov nad Oslavou © Vladimír Kunc, archiv CzT Useful contacts Zámek Žďár nad Sázavou: Restaurant tips Tel: +420 602 565 309, Süssův hostinec: Address: Zámek 8/8, Žďár nad Sázavou 2 591 02, Tel: +420 739 065 813, GPS: 49.58304,15.93763 Email: [email protected], Address: Veselská 1, Žďár nad Sázavou 591 01, Accommodation GPS: 49.5629028,15.9385673 Penzion v Kapli: Restaurace a hotel U Labutě: Tel: +420 566 623 552, Email: [email protected], Tel: +420 566 622 949, Email: [email protected], Address: Santiniho 64, Žďár nad Sázavou 591 02, Address: nám. Republiky 70/6, Žďár nad Sázavou 591 GPS: 49.5841753,15.935163 01, GPS: 49.5615503,15.9404671 Penzion Najdek, Hamry nad Sázavou: Penzion Najdek, Hamry nad Sázavou: Tel: +420 566 630 156, Email: [email protected], Tel: +420 566 630 156, Email: [email protected], Address: Hamry nad Sázavou č.p. 159, Žďár nad Address: Hamry nad Sázavou č.p. 159, Žďár nad Sázavou 591 01, GPS: 49.5591145,15.9114127 Sázavou 591 01, GPS: 49.5591145,15.9114127 #VisitCZ @czechrepublic @VisitCZ CzechTourism 5.