EKSCM - Pilgrimage Guide Route2

Pilgrimage Route

of Saints Cyril and Methodius Šaštín – Velehrad

www.cyril-methodius.eu

FOND

MIKROPROJEK TŮ

PILGRIMAGE ROUTE OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS

“Saints Cyril and Methodius brought major contributions when building Europe, not just concerning its Christian religious community, but also its civic and cultural unity.”

Pope John Paul II, Slavorum apostoli

ŠAŠTÍN – VELEHRAD

photo Jiří Šumbera

PILGRIMAGE ROUTE OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS Dear pilgrim, You are about to journey to places where the history of the Great Moravian Empire was written. These places have been associated since time immemorial with the acts and deeds of the holy brothers from Constantinople, Cyril and Methodius. In a certain sense, you are also following their ancient mission. They journeyed from far-away Constantinople to bring glad tidings in the light of their faith to the local nations – the Gospel. They came so that through creation of a new alphabet, they could help central European lands rise up and into the family of existing nations. They came in the effort to bring proper upbringing and education to the local peoples, so that their cultures could shine, and thanks to the first legal texts, so that they could justly arrange relationships within their society. You too are thus heading out on a journey towards understanding and discovery.

When, just like the brothers from Thessaloniki, you listen to the voice of your conscience and are open to all situations you encounter, you are bound to be rewarded through knowing yourself, your relations towards others and especially that which encompasses all of us – we know him as Almighty God.

2

ŠAŠTÍN – VELEHRAD Sincere searching and attentive perception are the prerequisites, which can be transformed into true learning or discovery of answers to questions accompanying you on your pilgrimage.

Along the way, you will perhaps find help in both sacral and secular works created over generations of ancestors, stunning natural beauty and welcoming people. Let this ring in your heart and in each step on this pilgrimage route following where Saints Cyril and Methodius lived and worked. Their legacy lives on even today. For centuries, the Cyril and Methodius tradition has brought up and led people to learning the Gospel, to cultivation of local cultures, to widening education and creating just relationships – all in openness and fruitful dialog, respect for the opinions of others and honor towards the roots of their history. Through your pilgrimage and incorporating what you've learned into everyday life, you too can fulfill their legacy!

Patriarch Bartholomew visited Mikulčice 5/25/2013 photo archiv South Moravian Region

Slavonic fortress in Mikulčice photo Jiří Šumbera

3

PILGRIMAGE ROUTE OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS

4

ŠAŠTÍN – VELEHRAD

5

MAP LEGEND, EXPLANATIONS approx. target distance route number

basic tourist route information route description a pilgrimage stop number a text about major monuments and places of interest on the route

An important person review

An important place / location review

route elevation profile

difficulty [ 1 – 5 ] length [ km ] elevation [ m ] approximate time needed to ride the section [ h ]

route track STOP planned STOP

6

1 A S ‣ ş ç Ş I T ±

accommodation catering cultural objective spiritual objective technical curiosity natural curiosity observation tower recreation information guide service

MAP SHEET LAYOUT

5

4 3

2

1

pilgrimage route prepared pilgrimage route marked tourist trail information monastery, -open for visitors castle, -open for visitors chateau/mansion, -open for visitors chateau/mansion, -open for visitors ruins, -with a guide castle site, archeological site museum, technical curiosity, windmill synagogue, point of interest health centre, mountain rescue service observation tower, scenic overlook natural-, thermal-, bath place, swimming hall

air field, airport zoo park, golf gamekeeper's lodge, mill, mine, gallery monument, chapel, church highway, dual carriageway roads of the I., II. and III. class dirt road, cart track, foot path, tunnel railway, station, stop national border border of national park, protected landscape area, natural park protected territory tree-lined avenue/boulevard, protected tree cemetery, forest, spring shipping line, dock/quay, ferry contour lines at 20 m, elevation point,

7

1st stage: ŠAŠTÍN – KOPČANY

8

Šaštín 109 km

Kopčany 80 km

Petrov 52,5 km

Svatý Antonínek 29 km

Ostrožská Nová Ves Velehrad 18,5 km

0 km

1

Šaštín – Basilica of Our Lady of Delours photo Jiří Žemlík

1st stage: ŠAŠTÍN – KOPČANY

9

1. ŠAŠTÍN – KOPČANY From the Basilica of Our Lady of Delours (Bazilika 8h ••••• 32,5 km 121 m Sedmibolestné Panny Marie) in Šaštín, head to Kopčany, where you will find the oldest Christian church in Central Europe.

Šaštín – interior of the Basilica of Our Lady of Delours photo Jiří Žemlík

30 5

161

187

Kopčany Smolinské

1000

20

m 0 200 400 600 800 168 25 Šaštín-Stráže 0 km

Adamovská 159 15

Gbely 194 10

Smolinské 187 5

10

m 0 200 400 600 800 168 Šaštín-Stráže 0 km

1000

Šaštín is venerable in the history of the Slavic nation because its history reaches back to the period of the arrival of the Cyril and Methodius mission. It is one of the youngest Slovak cities (2001), having over 5,000 inhabitants, and is known mainly as an important Marian pilgrimage site. The city can be divided into three parts – original Šaštín, the complex around the basilica and the community of Stráže, with which Šaštín was incorporated under the previous regime. The most famous structures are undoubtedly the Baroque Basilica of Our Lady of Delours (Bazilika Sedmibolestné Panny Marie) – as Mary is the patron saint of Slovakia, and the 18th-century monastery. In 1964, Pope Paul VI raised the church to a basilica as the first such temple in Slovakia. The city holds yet two more churches – the Church of St. John Bosco (Kostel sv. Jana Boska) and the Church of St. Elisabeth of Hungary (Kostel sv. Alžběty Uherské). The cemetery holds a Calvary from the end of the 18th century. It is remarkable that it does not stand as usual upon a hill, but on a flat space. The local synagogue was built in 1852.

An interesting part of the Jewish cemetery in Šaštín is one of the largest Jewish monuments in all of Slovakia. www.bazilika.sk

Šaštín 109 km

Kopčany 80 km

Petrov 52,5 km

Svatý Antonínek 29 km

Ostrožská Nová Ves Velehrad 18,5 km

0 km

From the pilgrimage site of Our Lady of Delours (from the square Kláštorné námestie), head out along Hviezdoslavova street up to the large crossroads, where you go left onto Milana Rastislava Štefánika street. After 700 m, turn right and along Jána Donovala street, you will leave Šaštín – Stráží. After 2.9 km, you will arrive to the village of Smolinské and pass through it. Getting to the city of GBELY you will take streets Mirka Nešpora, Mládeže and Jilemnického, along which you will reach a roundabout. Go left and Medlenova street will lead you out of the city.

The city of Gbely with its over 5,000 inhabitants is found in the Záhorská Lowland 15 km from Holíč. Oilfields lie nearby. The oldest records mentioning Gbely come from 1392. The recreation part Adamov-Gbely borders the Czech Republic. In 2013, at the weir on the Morava River, the Gbely-Tvrdonice port was created for recreational boating along the river. The city's most noteworthy monuments include the parish Church of St. Michael the Archangel (Kostel sv. Micha­ la Archanděla (1852), beside which stands a jewel of Gbely landmarks – the Rococo sculpture Immaculata (Neposkvrněná) from Gbely – sculpture Immaculata photo Štefan Komorný the latter-18th century.

GBELY – parish Church of St. Michael the Archangel photo Štefan Komorný

11

1. ŠAŠTÍN – KOPČANY

Adamov Lakes photo Jiří Žemlík

Many personalities of Slovak social, religious, political and cultural life were born, lived or worked in Gbely. These include Bishop ThDr. Jozef Čársky (1886–1962), apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Košice who became the first honorary citizen of Gbelov, Catholic priest ThDr. Ferdiš Juriga (1874–1950), deputy of the National Assembly of the CSR, prof. MUDr. Konštantín Čársky (1899–1987), noted Slovak physician – surgeon, and prof. Konštantín Hudec (1901–1952), founder of Slovak musical historiography.

After leaving the city of Gbely, along Medlenova street (parallel to cycle route no. 8203), you will cross the railroad tracks after 2.4 km at the station “Gbely – zastávka”, and continue straight for 370 m, where you turn right (the cycle route goes straight). Go 3.3 km through the forest until you arrive at class I road no. 2.

12

Šaštín 109 km

Kopčany 80 km

Petrov 52,5 km

Svatý Antonínek 29 km

Ostrožská Nová Ves Velehrad 18,5 km

0 km

Here go right and after 760 m, go left after the structures.

You will go around the Adamov Lakes (adamovská jezera) to the Morava River to the port "Gbely – Adamov".

Here head right and walk along the right bank of the Morava on the Slovak side around the port “Tvrdonice”.

From here, continue 3.2 km and then turn right. Along Moravská street, you will reach KOPČANY. At the crossroads of Priečna and Marxova streets in front of the square Štefánikovo námesTvrdonice – Church of St. Nicholas photo Štefan Komorný tie, go left and along Marxova street, you will depart Kopčany. Continue along the field path and go right after 800 m. You will arrive at the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch (Kostel sv. Margity Antiochijskej).

In this Slovak village of Kopčany along the Moravian-Slovakian border south of Hodonín stands the small Church of St. Margaret of Antioch (Kostel sv. Margity Antiochijské), the oldest Christian church in central Europe and an important monument of the Great Moravian Empire. It is remarkable that three-quarters of it remain in its original likeness.

Kopčany – Church of St. Margaret of Antioch photo Jiří Žemlík

13

14

15

stage: 2a KOPČANY – PETROV

2a

Skalica – Church of St. Michael photo Jiří Žemlík

This section is divided into two parts: 2a) Kopčany – Petrov or 2b) Mikulčice – Petrov.

•••••

27,7 km

82 m

7h

Those coming from Šaštín use the first of these stages.

From the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch (Kostela sv. Margity Antiochijskej), head out along the green hiking route on to the city of HOLÍČ to the guidepost “Holíč”. Continue along the yellow hiking route to the guidepost “Vetrlín” and farther along to the guidepost “Trnovec”. From here, take the green hiking route to the city of SKALICA to the guidepost “Skalica”. From here, take Štefánikova street to the parish Church of St. Michael (Kostel sv. Michala). Continue along Královská street, pass the Franciscan monastery on the right, and leave the city along Strážnická street. After 1.5 km, you will arrive at the old border crossing, and continue straight a half kilometer

16

Skalica – Franciscan monastery photo Jiří Žemlík

Šaštín 109 km

Kopčany

Petrov 52,5 km

80 km

Svatý Antonínek 29 km

Ostrožská Nová Ves Velehrad 18,5 km

0 km

to SUDOMĚŘICE (cycle route no. 46 also runs parallel from Skalica to Sudoměřice). You will arrive at the crossroads with Nádražní street, along which you will head out on the green hiking route to the bell tower from the 18th century, where there should be the new STOP no. 17.

The wine-making village of Sudoměřice lies in the foothills of the White Carpathians, on the very border with the Slovak Republic, whose next closest city is Skalica. Besides Sudoměřice – Church of Christ the King photo Jiří Žemlík the wine cellars, tourists here enjoy the Baťa Canal and the landing with the lookout tower Výklopník. Interesting structures in the village include the functionalist Church of Christ the King (Kostel Krista Krále) (1933), the original historical manorial estate, but also an integral group of so-called “German houses” built during WWII for the German Finance Guard.

In Sudoměřice, take the green hiking route to the guidepost “Sudoměřice – bus”.

From here, head out along the blue hiking route to PETROV.

1000

5 30

17

60

161 30 187

Kopčany Smolinské

183 m250 200 Sudoměřice 400 600 800 168 Šaštín-Stráže 0 25 km 55 171 Petrov 161 Kopčany

50

20

20

180

Skalica

Adamovská Adamovská 159

45 159

15

15

40

194

10

10

35

194 165

Gbely Gbely Hodonín

Slovanské Smolinskéhradiště Mikulčice Smolinské 158 187 5 187

5

1000

m 0 200 400 600 800 168 m 00 161 200 Šaštín-Stráže 400 600 800 km168 Kopčany Šaštín-Stráže 0 km 30

25

1000

“Výklopník” near Sudoměřice photo Jiří Vávra

stage: 2b MIKULČICE – PETROV

2b

Slavonic fortress in Mikulčice – Celebrations of Saints Cyril and Methodius photo Magda Hubáčková

The National Cultural Monument – the Slavonic fortress (Slovanské hradiště) in Mikulčice – is a vital archaeological locality with a monument from the period of Great Moravia, a seat of Great Moravian princes and a place where Slavic missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodius lived and worked. Visitor routes offer views of copies of the foundations of eight churches and a palace. A new dominant feature of the complex is the sculpture of the patron saints of Europe, Saints Cyril and Methodius, a gift from the Bulgarian Republic to Mikulčice's Slavic fort.

From the old Slavic fortress in Mikulčice, head Mikulčice – sculpture of the St. Cyril out along the green hiking and Methodius photo František Synek route past the guideposts “Skařiny” and “U Staré Moravy” up to the chateau Hodonín (along the way you should pass the new STOP no. 19). Here, turn right and head along the road I/51 and the red hiking route to the state border formed by the bridge Hodonín – Holíč, where you should find the new STOP no. 18 . From the guidepost “Most cez Moravu” you can take the green hiking route to the city of HOLÍČ and to the guidepost “Holíč”, and from there, just like in stage 2a, to PETROV via SKALICA and SUDOMĚŘICE. 18

Šaštín 109 km

Mikulčice 76,2 km

Petrov 52,5 km

Svatý Antonínek 29 km

Ostrožská Nová Ves Velehrad 18,5 km

0 km

The other variant is to go along the Moravia river weir and then follow the yellow hiking route to the “Skalica” landing, and from there, take the green hiking route on to SUDOMĚŘICE to the guidepost “Sudoměřice – bus”, where you will link up with the blue hiking route to PETROV. At the Church of St. Wenceslas (Kostel sv. Václava), preparations are being made for a new STOP no. 16 .

The first mentioning of the settlement Petrov comes from 1412. Passing through it are class I road I/55, connecting Hodonín and Strážnice, and the Sudoměřice – Sudomír photo Jiří Žemlík railroad track Hodonín-Veselí nad Moravou, but it is also accessible by water since the Baťa Canal runs through the village.

The municipal authority is striving to reinvigorate the spa tradition, where the sulfurous waters have been used for such purpose since 1580. Petrov is especially known for a unique group of original wine cellars – Plže, which was declared a monument reserve of folk architecture in 1983. The new St. Wenceslas Church (Kostel sv. Václava) was built here in 2000.

Petrov – Plže photo L. Najmanová

19

20

Šaštín 109 km

Mikulčice 76,2 km

Petrov 52,5 km

Svatý Antonínek 29 km

Ostrožská Nová Ves Velehrad 18,5 km

0 km

3

Strážnice – Piarist complex with Church of the Assumption photo Jiří Žemlik

3rd stage: PETROV – SVATÝ ANTONÍNEK Other destinations along our journey from Petrov include Strážnice, Vnorovy and Veselí nad Moravou.

•••••

23,4 km

228 m

6h

From STOP no. 16 continue to the Baťa Canal landing “Petrov – přístav”, cross the Baťa Canal and take the blue hiking route to STRÁŽNICE to two churches: the Church of the Assumption (Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie) and the Church of St. Martin (Kostel sv. Martina), where there should be a new STOP no. 15 , and on to the guidepost “Strážnice – náměstí ”.

km

Ostrožská Lhota Kopčany Kopčany 220 161 161

Blatnice pod Sv. Antonínkem m250 342 200 400 800 1000 Svatý600Antonínek 168 80 Šaštín-Stráže 0 25

20 75 20

211

Adamovská Adamovská 159 159

Veselí nad Moravou 178

Gbely Gbely Vnorovy 194 10 194 178 65 10

15 70 15

Smolinské Smolinské Strážnice

Petrov

187 5 187 60 5 173

183

Sudoměřice

m 0 200 400 600 800 m 00 168 200 Šaštín-Stráže 400 600 800 168 km 55 Šaštín-Stráže 0 km 171

1000 1000

Strážnice is referred to as a city of monuments and folklore. Chateau – originally a water castle founded in the latter-13th century, later under the Žerotíns, it was rebuilt into a Renaissance chateau.

Its purpose was to guard, giving the city its name (stráž = guard).

Today, the National Institute of Folk Culture is headquartered here. The greatest Baroque monument in Strážnice is the Piarist complex from the second third of the 18th century, comprised of a church, monastery and former gymnasium. The first Piarists

21

3. PETROV – SVATÝ ANTONÍNEK (an order focused on education) came to Strážnice in 1633 and founded a gymnasium here one year later. Living in Moravia from 1638 to 1641 was today's blessed Pietro Casani, an Italian Piarist priest who helped form the first Piarist communities here. He often stayed in Strážnice over the first three years of his stay. The city has two churches: The Church of St. Martin (Kostel Svatého Martina) (1741) and the Church of the Assumption (Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie) (1750). The Piarists have administered both since 1994.

A memorial to fraternal education was placed at the site of the fraternal school in 1992. Even Comenius (Jan Amos Komenský) attended this school in 1604–05.

One of the oldest preserved structures in Strážnice, mentioned back in 1543, is the water mill that functioned up until 1975. Today, it houses a museum exhibit on milling. Rarities found in Strážnice include its Strážnice – white tower by the Church of St. Martin photo Jiří Žemlik city gates (Veselská and Skalická), and the white tower by the Church of St. Martin (Kostela sv. Martina) built at the start of the 17th century. A synagogue stands in the northern part of the city in the middle of the former Jewish quarter. The Jewish cemetery lies behind it with old gravestones. The oldest of them is from 1648.

The start of the 1970s saw the building of an open-air museum in Strážnice. The city may also boast its affiliation with many important personalities. These include e.g. Piarist and historian Bernard Bartlík (1646–1716), academic painter František Cundrla (1943–2011) and current Archbishop of Olomouc, Jan Graubner.

22

Strážnice – “Skalická” gate photo Jiří Žemlik

Šaštín 109 km

Mikulčice 76,2 km

Petrov 52,5 km

Svatý Antonínek 29 km

Ostrožská Nová Ves Velehrad 18,5 km

0 km

From the square Strážnické náměstí, head out along the red hiking route to the village of VNOROVY. The Church of St. Elisabeth of Hungary (Kostel sv. Alžběty Durynské) is adjacent the planned site of STOP no. 14 .

The first writings about Vnorovy come from 1249, and the parish is mentioned in 1378. The dominant feature here is the parish Church of St. Elisabeth of Hungary (Kostel sv. Alžběty Durynské) from 1909, another important monument is the sculpture of the Holy Trinity (Nejsvětější Trojice) from 1745. The village holds the Museum of Personalities and Folk Traditions of VnorVnorovy – Church of St. Elisabeth of Hungary photo Jiří Žemlik ovy. A number of noteworthy personalities came from Vnorovy: Franciscan priest and music composer Josef Zrunek (1736– 1789), priest and writer František Zýbal (1891–1940), a young victim in the war against fascism named Marie Kudeříková (1921–1943), and Želivský prisoner and beloved priest Pavel Zíbal (1922–2008).

From the Church of St. Elisabeth (Kostel sv. Alžběty) take the red hiking route to the guidepost “Vnorovy – Morava”, from here take the blue hiking route along the Morava River on into VESELÍ NAD MORAVOU, across the city park and to the parish Church of the Guardian Angels (Kostel sv. Andělů strážných), nearby which, by the municipal authority, is the planned site of a new STOP no. 13 .

Veselí nad Moravou – Church of the Guardian Angels photo Jiří Žemlík

23

3. PETROV – SVATÝ ANTONÍNEK The first written document mentioning Veselí nad Moravou comes from 1261. The existence of the parish has been known since 1373. City monuments: parish Church of the Guardian Angels (Kostel sv. Andělů strážných) (1739) with former Servite monastery, the Romanesque-Gothic Church of Our Lady (Kostel Panny Marie) from the latter-13th century, redesigned in 1771–83, the Baroque Church of St. Bartholomew (Kostel sv. Bartoloměje) from 1741, and the chateau at the spot of a former water castle, rebuilt at the start of the 19th century. An indelible part of the city's history is the Jewish cemetery. The synagogue (Jewish prayer hall) stands in the old part of town. It was built around 1840 at the spot of an older prayer hall. Today it serves of a prayer hall for believers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Veselí nad Moravou is famous for cyclist Josef Zimovčák, world champion in racing historical high-wheel bikes.

From the Church of the Guardian Angels (Kostela sv. Andělů strážných), continue along Komenského street along the blue hiking route around the railroad tracks.

You will leave the hiking route before the roundabout and continue through the roundabout straight along Padělek street. At the crossroads with Na Drahách street, go right and across the railroad road tracks. In front of the second set of tracks, go slightly left and walk along it (on the left side) 2 km. Then take the field path on the left, which changes after turning right into an asphalt path that leads you 1.5 km back to the railroad tracks. Go along them up to the overpass, where you go left to the ford across the stream Svodnice. Here, go right and continue along it 2.5 km to the crossroads to the statue of St. Anthony of Padua (sv. Antonína Paduánského). From this statue, head out 1 km up along a linden tree alley to the pilgrimage site SVATÝ ANTONÍNEK NAD BLATNICÍ.

24

Svatý Antonínek nad Blatnicí photo Jiří Žemlik

Šaštín 109 km

Mikulčice 76,2 km

Petrov 52,5 km

Svatý Antonínek 29 km

Ostrožská Nová Ves Velehrad 18,5 km

0 km

Svatý Antonínek nad Blatnicí photo Jiří Žemlik

www.antoninek.cz

25

26

Šaštín

Mikulčice

109 km

76,2 km

Svatý Antonínek Ostrožská Nová Ves Velehrad

Petrov 52,5 km

18,5 km

29 km

0 km

4

Ostrožská Lhota – Pastoral House of Antonín Šuránek photo Jiří Žemlik

4th stage: SVATÝ ANTONÍNEK – OSTROŽSKÁ NOVÁ VES The pilgrimage stage from Svatý Antonínek 104 m ••••• 10 km nad Blatnicí to Ostrožská Nová Ves is one of the shortest but no less interesting stages.

3h

From the pilgrimage Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua (Kaple sv. Antonína Paduánského), by which stop no. 12 is found, continue along the road down towards Ostrožská Lhota. After 400 m, go left and enter the forest. After 100 m, turn at the spring Krasotinská studánka with statue of St. Anthony. From there, continue through Krasotinský žleb. After 700 m, you reach the crossroads u “obrázku” (by the large chestnut tree), from here you descend to the left and rise again along the forest path to the creek, and along Školní street to the church in Ostrožská Lhota, the location of STOP no. 11.

95

161 161

Kopčany Kopčany

1000 Ves

90 m250 188 200 400 600 800 Ostrožská Nová 168 Šaštín-Stráže 0 25 km

Ostrožská Lhota Adamovská Adamovská 220 159 159 85 20 20

80 15 15

342

Blatnice pod Sv. Antonínkem Svatý Antonínek

Gbely Gbely 75 194 10 194 10

211

Smolinské Smolinské

Veselí nad Moravou 178

70 187 5 187 5

178 200Vnorovy m 400 600 800 65 0 m 00 168 200 Šaštín-Stráže 400 600 800 168 km Šaštín-Stráže 0 km

1000 1000

With a population of 1,500, Ostrožská Lhota is the largest of the many Czech municipalities with the name “Lhota” in it. As one of few villages, it has retained in its core the typical rural built-up

27

4. SVATÝ ANTONÍNEK – OSTROŽSKÁ NOVÁ VES areas unhindered by construction of flat-roofed houses. This means you can enjoy the view of homes with red saddle rooftops and vertical line of the church from many angles thanks to the articulated terrain. The dominant feature here is the parish Church of St. James the Greater (Kostel sv. Jakuba Staršího) from 1908, standing at the spot of a razed church from 1832. Beside the church is the Pastoral House of Antonín Šuránek (Pastorační dům P. Antonína Šuránka), housing a museum to this greatest of local natives, who is buried in the local cemetery.

From the Church of St James the Greater (Kostel Ostrožská Lhota – Church of St. James the Greater photo Jiří Žemlik sv. Jakuba), head out through the center of the village down a gentle hill until you reach the bridge.

Cross it and go slightly to the right along the cycle path (cycle route no. 5048). Along this path, you will reach STOP no. 10 . Under the hill, go right to the road and cross it. Along a panel road, continue to the former farm. Go left and continue along the road down to stop no. 9 at the Church of St. Wenceslas (Kostela sv. Václava) in Ostrožská Nová Ves. Ostrožská Nová Ves is a village stretching out over 3 km on both sides of road I/55 between the cities of Kunovice and Uherský Ostroh. The greatest cultural monument is the parish Church of St. Wenceslas (Kostel sv. Václava), built in 1770. For over a century, a sulfurous spa has served the ill in Ostrožská Nová Ves Ostrožská Nová Ves – (founded in 1903), where locoChurch of St. Wenceslas photo Jiří Žemlik motor system and skin diseases are treated. The origin of the spa is indelibly linked to the name of local native, PhDr. ThDr. František Botek (1864–1918). Another important personality was Alžběta Bartysová (1825–1908), who made her village famous for painting so-called “Zelové” Easter eggs.

28

Šaštín 109 km

Mikulčice 76,2 km

Petrov 52,5 km

Svatý Antonínek Ostrožská Nová Ves Velehrad 29 km

18,5 km

0 km

Antonín Šuránek

photo archive parish of St. James the Greater in Ostrožská Lhota

29

30

Šaštín

Petrov

76,2 km

52,5 km

Svatý Antonínek Ostrožská Nová Ves 29 km

Velehrad

18,5 km

0 km

5

Ostroh Lakes photo Jiří Žemlik

5th stage: OSTROŽSKÁ NOVÁ VES – VELEHRAD From Ostrožská Nová Ves to Velehrad, you will 4,7 h ••••• 18,4 km 71 m be traveling through the flat countryside of the Moravian-Slovak Region. You will be welcomed along the way by not only tidy villages, but also by a meadow forest and lakes.

205 161 187

Velehrad Kopčany Smolinské

1000

31

5 25

Adamovská 159 100 15 20

m 0 190 200 400 600 800 Staré Město 168 105 Šaštín-Stráže 0 20 km 25

Adamovská

Gbely Tůň u Kostelan 194 95 10 15 171

159

Smolinské Gbely Ostrožská Nová Ves 187 90 5 194 10 188

1000

m 0 200 400 600 800 168 85 Šaštín-Stráže Smolinské 0 187 5 km

220

342 m 80 0 168 0 km

Ostrožská Lhota

From STOP no. 9 head out along Lhotská street 150 m to the crossroads, go right on Záhumení street (600 m), left on Nivky street (100 m), right onto Kunovská street (100 m), left onto Nádražní street to the railroad tracks, which you cross, and continue straight along the cycle path (cycle route no. 47A) around the campground (2 km) and the Ostroh Lakes (Ostrožská jezera) to STOP no. 8 . Then after 1 km at the edge of the forest, go right and then left after 450 m, keep going straight along the forest path up to the crossing of the cycle path and STOP no. 7. Continue straight after the cycle path (cycle route no. 47A).

Blatnice pod Sv. Antonínkem Svatý Antonínek 200 400 600 800 1000 Šaštín-Stráže

211

Mikulčice

109 km

5. OSTROŽSKÁ NOVÁ VES – VELEHRAD

Kostelany – riveted portal bridge photo Jiří Žemlik

After 1.7 km, you will reach a cycle path crossing. You will see on your left the large bridge across the Morava River, and behind it, the village of KOSTELANY NAD MORAVOU. The settlement is first mentioned in 1131. You cannot help but see the parish Church of St. Florian (Kostel sv. Floriána). Another dominant feature of Kostelany nad Moravou is the riveted portal bridge spanning 84 m across the Morava, which was declared a cultural monument in 1997 by the Ministry of Culture of the CR.

Go right along the cycle path, after 800 m, descend to the left and cross the stream Olšava.

Go left along its right bank up to the confluence with the Morava. Go right against the current, cross under road no. I/50 and after 2.7 km, you will reach the railroad bridge. Using it to cross the Morava, continue to the right after the cycle path to Kostelany – Church of St. Florian photo Jiří Žemlik STOP no. 4 . (in this part there should be installed between STOPS no. 7 and 4 also STOPS no. 6 and 5). Go left and you will reach the cemetery at the Church of St. Michael (Kostel sv. Michaela in STARÉ MĚSTO.

32

Šaštín 109 km

Mikulčice 76,2 km

Petrov 52,5 km

Svatý Antonínek Ostrožská Nová Ves 29 km

18,5 km

Velehrad 0 km

An interesting fact about this cemetery is that people have been buried here continuously for over 11 centuries. The church is a late-Romanesque structure. Around 100 Roman bricks from the 2nd century CE now form part of the masonry of this church, built

by Cistercian monks at the spot of a former Great Moravian rotunda. The Church of St. Michael (Kostel sv. Michaela) in Staré Město is a unique structure in the Czech Republic, in which almost 2,000-year-old bricks still fulfill their primary function. It was redesigned in 1734. The cemetery also contains the Chapel of St. John the Baptist (Kaple sv. Jana Křtitele).

Important figures from Staré Město include Ing. Dr. Rostislav Sochorec (1900–1948), politician, prior to WWII deputy of the Staré Město – Chapel of St. John the Baptist photo Jiří Žemlik National Assembly of the CSR for the Czechoslovak People's Party. He was involved in agricultural issues. Just before the communist putsch, he was arrested in 1948 by the State Security and died in prison under unclear circumstances. It is appropriate to mention another important figure affiliated with Staré Město – Antonín Zelnitius (1876–1957). Though a native of Uherské Hradiště, he dedicated a large part of his life to Staré Město; as teacher and amateur archaeologist, he began extensive exploration here in 1922 of the area called Na Valách, the discovery site in later years of a burial ground from the period of Great Moravia.

Staré Město – cemetery with the Church of St. Michael photo Karel Kršák

33

5. OSTROŽSKÁ NOVÁ VES – VELEHRAD Thus began an era of systematic research of the Great Moravian past of Staré Město. He worked until 1947 as head of archaeological research in Staré Město.

From the church, cross the main street Hradišťská, you will come up to the green hiking route, go left and take it to STOP no. 3 at the Church of the Holy Spirit (Kostel Svatého Ducha) in STARÉ MĚSTO. The building of the Church of the Holy Spirit (Kostel Svatého Ducha) corresponds to the desire of several generations to have here a sufficiently large sacral structure underscoring the historic and contemporary importance of the location. It is built as a symbol of gratitude for the gift of faith, which Saints Cyril and Methodius bestowed upon our ancestors. The new church is located on an axis with the Great Moravia Memorial. The ground plan of the church is shaped like a rotunda – two intersecting circles (the circle has always been a symbol of infinity – with no beginning or end).

There are precious few urban or rural places in the Czech Republic that could boast such a rich history reaching back to those darkest depths of time forgotten as Staré Město. You can learn about it when visiting the nearby Great Moravia Memorial (Památník Velké Moravy) (entrance across from the main entrance to the new church). The new multimedia exhibit shares the historical moments of Great Moravia, and the ordinary life of a person living in those times. It features nearly two dozen life-size figures for modeling scenes of life and work of our ancestors at a Great Moravian settlement. It also showcases replicas of period clothing, shoes, rare gems, work tools and other discoveries from archaeological exploration that has been ongoing in Staré Město for over a century.

The territory of today's Staré Město was a main part of Veligrad, one

34

Staré Město – new Church of the Holy Spirit photo Karel Kršák

Šaštín 109 km

Mikulčice 76,2 km

Petrov 52,5 km

Svatý Antonínek Ostrožská Nová Ves 29 km

18,5 km

Velehrad 0 km

of the two main centers of Great Moravia, to which also belonged a settlement now forming the historical center of Uherské Hradiště and a church center on high in the district of Sady.

Spread out across Staré Město was a power complex with stone palace of Moravian princes and a rotunda.

The place is thus rightfully associated with the work of Saints Constantine and Methodius.

Staré Město – Great Moravia Memorial photo Karel Kršák

From STOP no. 3 continue along the green hiking route, walk along the entire length of Salašská street (past it the green hiking route changes direction) and along the cycle path (cycle route no. 5050 then also 5150), take the underpass of road I/55 and in 0.5 km, by walking also beneath the railroad tracks, you will arrive to STOP no. 2 and the beginning of the Rosary Pilgrimage Way (Poutní cesta růžence).

The thought of building this pilgrimage way arose as a response to the visit of Pope John Paul II to Velehrad in April of 1990. In its course, a total of twenty stops are patterned with a Rosary prayer.

The introduction presents Joyful Rosary, followed by Rosary of Light, Sorrowful Rosary and it culminates with Glorious Rosary. Each stop symbolizes one mystery, and the way it is sculptured from Božanovský sandstone. The shape links to the tradition of wayside crosses seen in the Czech and Moravian countryside. Milivoj Husák from Lelekovice u Brna imprinted the artistic likeness of the Rosary stops, and Josef Kozel from Klepačov near Blansko sculpted the stone. The Archbishop Rosary Pilgrimage Way photo Karel Kršák of Olomouc Jan Graubner solemnly blessed the Rosary Pilgrimage Way on June 13, 2010.

Taking the Rosary Pilgrimage Way, which copies the red hiking route, you will finish your long journey at holy Velehrad.

FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VELEHRAD on the blue pages no. 48 – 53

35

PILGRIMAGE ROUTE OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS

36

PILGRIMAGE MEMORIES

37