The eleventh stage of hiking
Annaberg - Mariazell
Basic information about the trail
Embark on a spiritual journey along the historic Via Sacra pilgrimage trail, stretching from Annaberg to Mariazell. This scenic trail takes you through charming villages like Joachimsberg, Wienerbruck, Josefsberg, and Mitterbach-Seerotte, offering a blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and spiritual enrichment.
Starting in Annaberg, a picturesque village known for its serene landscapes and the Church of St. Anna, pilgrims can follow the Lassingtalweg to the Joachimskapelle, a peaceful spot perfect for reflection. As you continue, you’ll reach Joachimsberg, where the Church of St. Joachim stands as a testament to the area’s Czech roots. The church, with its stunning marble altar, offers a tranquil stop for pilgrims.
Next, you’ll arrive in Wienerbruck, a village nestled at the edge of the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park. Here, you can enjoy breathtaking views and the serene ambiance of the surrounding forests. Continuing your journey, you’ll ascend to Josefsberg, the third “Holy Mountain” on your trail. The village’s Pfarrhof features historical murals depicting the life of woodcutters in the 1830s, adding a touch of history to your pilgrimage.
As you approach Mitterbach-Seerotte, you’ll cross the border from Lower Austria into Styria. The Sebastianikapelle here marks the fourth “Holy Mountain” and offers a peaceful resting place. Finally, you’ll arrive in Mariazell, Austria’s most important Marian pilgrimage site. The Basilica of Mariazell is a stunning architectural marvel and a fitting end to your spiritual journey. Take time to explore the basilica and soak in the serene atmosphere.
What's ahead of us?
Starting point: Annaberg
Ending point: Mariazell
Distance: 19,6 km
Estimated travel time: 6:16 hour.
Difficulty: medium
Altitude: ascent 578 m, descent 691 m
Surface: asphalt road, mostly forest and field paths
Critical points: none
Our tip:
So lace up your hiking boots, carry your intentions, and step onto this trail—a journey that weaves together nature’s beauty, history’s whispers, and the quiet stirrings of the soul.
World Museum and Library of the Bible
- Jablunkov
- www.muzeumbible.cz
- muzeumbible@muzeumbible.cz
- +420 605 015 604
World Museum and Library of the Bible
The World Museum and Library of the Bible aims to create a quality and dignified place that makes unique exhibits of Bibles and spiritual books available to the general public. The museum offers approximately four hundred pieces of historic religious books and Christian literature from the mid-16th century onwards. In the old monastery building you can see an exhibition dedicated to the most famous book of the Bible and other spiritual books. You will see, for example, the Bibles of Melantrich dating from 1549 and 1556, Bibles written in the language of the black Zulu tribe and the Bible written in an artificial language – Esperanto. An interesting feature is a handwritten transcription of the Gospel of Mark on cigarette paper or a Bible in water, which is actually displayed in water. It is made of a secret material, the donor did not reveal it. It’s not plastic or paper.
Bibles also come in packages from donors all over the world, and each one has a story. For example, the huge, handmade, years-old leporettos, telling children Bible stories, were personally brought by an eighty-two-year-old woman from Zlín. Among them is a book called Hvězdička (Little Star), handwritten and painted by the disabled Jana Janigová from Staré Turé. Her disability allowed her to hold the pencil only close to her eyes.
The smallest bible comes from Switzerland and is written in English, the seven-pound one was used during important events, and the one on cigarette papers was transcribed by one of the political prisoners to keep with him in times of hardship.
Source: www.kudyznudy.cz
Church of Corpus Christi
- Jablunkov
- www.farnost-jablunkov.cz
- fara.jablunkov@seznam.cz
- +420 558 357 698
Church of Corpus Christi
The church was built in 1605, originally in Renaissance style, later rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style. The history of the church is very varied. In the 16th century it was dominated by Lutherans. It was only in 1615 that it became permanently a Catholic church. In 1652 it was rededicated to Corpus Christi. Therefore, in June, on the Feast of Corpus Christi, processions and festive services are held at the church. The church has been hit by fires several times. In 1931, the church was enlarged with a transept with a coffered ceiling and a presbytery designed by Jaroslav Oplt from Brno. In 1886 a new organ was installed in the church.
In 1945, new bells were added to the church. The original ones were confiscated by the German authorities during the war. The post-war bells rang at the church until July 2011. In October 2011, 3 new bells were consecrated. John Paul II, Our Lady of Fatima and St. Hedwig.
One of the symbols of Jablunkov, the church tower, has remained unchanged for centuries.
Source: www.kudyznudy.cz
Jablunkov Information Centre
- Mariánské náměstí 1, 73991 Jablunkov
- www.jackijablunkov.cz
- info@jablunkov.cz
- +420 558 358 013
Where to eat and sleep?
Restaurants and accommodation along the trail.
Accommodation in Jablunkov
- Mariánské náměstí 1, 73991 Jablunkov
- jackijablunkov.cz/ubytovani
- info@jablunkov.cz
- +420 558 358 013
Photogallery
Photos from hiking.
Why walk the trails of the Cyril and Methodius Route?
The long-distance trails of the Cyril and Methodius Route invite you to pilgrimage sites and archaeological sites that have contributed significantly to the development of Slavic culture. They are signposted in both directions and encourage wandering without borders, not only state borders.
- Experience: you'll be surprised what you can do
- Great signposting: tourist signposting
- Incredible landscape: we wander through the countryside off the busy stretches
What can be obtained?
Perhaps everyone likes to bring back something from hiking, be it various tourist and souvenir items. If you will be hiking the Cyril and Methodius Route, we have prepared the following printed materials to motivate you to hike the trail:
- Pilgrimage passports: collecting stamps for a special passport
- Memorial letters: a souvenir letter at the end of the journey
- Maps: printed guide