The name of the town is Zdar nad Sazavou, and this church is located on the outskirts at a green hill (Zelena Hora). From the train station, bus number 2 will take you there. Otherwise, it’s a 3 km walk. The location of the site is very pleasant: at the bottom of the hill, there are a castle and a lake. A long flight of stairs has to be climbed to reach the top, where the cloister, the cemetery and the church can be found.

The whole complex is full of symbolism. The number 5 returns often, representing the crown with 5 stars that according to the legend has appeared on the site where St. John of Nepomuk died. There are 5 gates to enter the cloister, the church holds 5 chapels and 5 altars.

The church also has windows in the form of a bishop’s mitre and of a tongue, the part of St. John’s body that had been miraculously preserved and was taken as proof of his sainthood.

The cloister is decorated with 10 very different towers, all very pretty and some with sculptured figures on top.

For 50 kroner there are tours to the interior of the church. An English explanation (on paper) is available. Beware that it’s closed from November to March!

The church is quite small on the inside. Because of its unusual shape there’s not much space left to hold a congregation. Several original sculptures can be seen. Reconstruction works are being executed on the ceiling. In all, I found this a very atmospheric site that just oozes religious symbolism.