The Marian basilica some 60 km south of Prague is one of Czech Republic's main pilgrim places. The first Marian chapel was erected here as early as in 1260. The l5th century gave the place a modest church with tower and bell and the idol statue of Virgin Mary with Jesus Child to be worshipped. Its first idolater was Arnošt of Pardubice, the first Archbishop of Prague. The statue is Gothic and dark and was made of pear-tree wood in 1348. Since baroque times, the statue has been dressed as queen in various liturgical colors. In 1732, the idol was crowned in a ceremony approved by the Pope with lovely crowns. The coronation pilgrimage takes place annually every third Sunday following the Holy Spirit descention. Fairs are organized from spring to autumn every weekend. The present cathedral was built in 1661-73 according to the design of Carlo Lurago. The cathedral follows the concept of the Marian castle: square, entrance gate, cloisters with four main chapels and another 9 altars, a little courtyard and an elevated Virgin Mary Assumpted sanctuary. It houses the silver altar, the richly decorated tabernacle and another tabernacle for the merciful Virgin Mary statue. A 460 m long covered stairway issuing from Příbram to the Holy Mountain was built in 1730. In 1990, the Holy Mountain was returned to the priestly care of the Most Holy Redeemer Congregation, the Redemptorists.

Overall view of the Holy Mountain site from the south

The 1348 Graceful Virgin Mary statue