Pilgrimage church complex in Kájov
Kájov is considered one of the oldest Marian pilgrimage sites in the country. It reached its peak in the Baroque period – in the middle of the 18th century up to 40 thousand pilgrims came here annually.
History of the pilgrimage site
The original Kájov church and rectory were built sometime between 1263 and 1340. The new church in the late Gothic style was built between 1474 and 1485. The Kájov church complex consists of the old cemetery, the rectory from 1661, the chapel of the death of the Virgin Mary, the cemetery chapel of St. Theresa with ossuary from 1752 and the chapel of St. John of Nepomuk. In 1630, a hospice for pilgrims visiting the church was also established in Kájov, which later housed an inn and a school.
In 1995, the Gothic church and the rectory were classified as national cultural monuments. In 1999, a small group of four Vincentian nuns from Munich settled in Kájov and, in their presence, the parish building was reconstructed into a monastery. Since 2012, the Sisters of Charity of the Holy Cross have operated there.
Currently
The Roman Catholic parish of Kájov is part of the Vicariate of Český Krumlov.
The church is only open on Sundays or Saturdays. If you are interested in visiting the church on Monday-Friday, you can contact the nuns at the rectory from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.