Maková Hora Pilgrimage Site

Take a moment to pause, breathe, and soak in the serene, spiritual energy of Maková Hora near Příbram.

Plan your next trip to a place where uplifting atmosphere and stunning baroque architecture come together. The pilgrimage site of Maková Hora, near the village of Smolotely, is home to the magnificent Church of St. John the Baptist and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Considered one of the finest examples of high baroque architecture in Central Bohemia, its story began in 1718, when the devout knight Jan Felix Chanovský-Krasilovský of Dlouhá Ves laid its foundations.

• Tip for you: Pilgrimage season runs from May to October, with regular church services held during this time. Plan your visit accordingly to experience the site at its most vibrant.

Like many sacred places, Maková Hora endured hardship, especially during World War II. The church’s bells, like those from many other sites, were taken and melted down for military use. This loss deeply impacted the region’s spiritual life, as bells played a crucial role in local ceremonies and traditions. Today, visitors can find memorials that commemorate both these wartime losses and the overall historical significance of the site.

Despite never being fully completed according to its original plans, the church has remained a place of pilgrimage. Over the centuries, it faced periods of decay, but a turning point came in the mid-1990s, when lay Capuchin brother František Homola chose to live here as a hermit. His presence brought new life to the site, and his personal approach to guiding visitors became legendary. Though he has passed, his legacy still resonates throughout the area.

Where to Next?

If you wish to explore more pilgrimage sites, Příbram’s famous Svatá Hora awaits—accessible via a grand staircase of 365 steps. Near Mníšek pod Brdy, the baroque Skalka complex offers a charming chapel, stations of the cross, and a cozy retreat, all with breathtaking views of the Brdy Highlands.