Zelena Hora Travel Guide

 MEdelmann Says:  Five oval and five triangular chapels alternate around its circumference - the number five symbolizes Saint John of Nepomuk (the number of stars seens after the saint's death). You can also have a look inside the church - but it was closed in the time when I was there and so... 

 globetrott Says:  The organ is rather small and almost hidden behind the balconies of the second floor.Every half hour you may attend some explanations in Czech Language, but you may get a small sheet of paper with explanations in different languages.There is an entrance fee of 30 Kronen. 

 globetrott Says:  When you click on the pic, you may see the symbol of the tongue again on the very top of the dome.And also the dome has the shape of the pentagon again.2 storeys of balconies are built into the dome, but they are not accessable for the public.Have a look for the ornamental... 

 globetrott Says:  The main altar is also made like the shape of a tongue.Jan Nepomucky is shown in the very centre, surrounded by 5 angels.Jan Pavel Cechpauer, a sculptor from nearby Chrudim made the sculptures on the main altar and the 4 side altars. 

 globetrott Says:  On the pulpit you may see the scene on Charles bridge, when Jan Nepomucky was thrown into the river in 1393.The sculpture also shows the 5 stars around the head of the saint.The church in Zelena Hora was built between the years 1719-1722 by the famous architect Jan Blazej... 

 globetrott Says:  The church was consecrated to the National saint of the Czech Republic :Jan Nepomucky / Johann NepomukHe was thrown into the Moldau-river from Charle's bridge in Prague in may 16th, 1393.The legends says, that he was not willing to tell the king Wenzel iV any secrets, his... 

 globetrott Says:  When the saint was unburied in the year 1719 his tongue was completely unspoilt .This fact was taken for a proof that he was a saint , and so the symbol of the tongue may be found at many places all over the church, even the windows and arches have that shape.On my pic you... 

 globetrott Says:  When Jan Nepomucky was thrown into the water by the troops of the king, certain patterns of pentagons appeared in the sky - and so this kind of pentagons are to be found in the principal structures of the church :5 entrances , and 5 more chappels without entrance make the... 

 globetrott Says:  The cemetery is totally surrounded by a high arcade, where you may walk inside and have a look to the church and cemetery, but NOT outside.5 gates may be used to enter the cemetery, and all these gates have great sculptures on top of their entrance-halls and are locked by... 

 globetrott Says:  Zelena Hora is one of the most famous examples of the so-called "Baroque Gothic"-style.A formerly Gothic church was rebuilt and re-decorated in baroque style.The whole of the church follows certain rules and symbolisms :most of the rooms and ornaments have 5 edges, only the... 

 MEdelmann Says:  Zelena Hora is just a small place near Zdár nad Sávakou. It have signed it on the map - please click on it to see it. It's really off the beaten path ....It would be a great idea to go there by car - it is about 120 kilometers south of Prague and 150 kilometers from Vienna.... 

 MEdelmann Says:  Just go around and look ... Maybe you think that I am a strange person .... but I like this graves! :-))And finally we came to an end of our excursion in a czech graveyard and the world of graves and tombstones in general...Hope you enjoyed it ....:-)) 

 MEdelmann Says:  And you can find names like "Hrdlicka", "Dvorak", "Machacek" but also "Eisenberg", "Maier" an "Kruger" on the tombstones .... That reminded me very much to my home Austria..... Reading the inscripts of tombstones can be very interesting ....So maybe this is not only a czech... 

 MEdelmann Says:  But please be silent because there come always people to pray on the graves and you should also do it to pay reference to the people who rest here.I photographed it from backside, so maybe so if you would like to see the details, you have to click on the picture! 

 MEdelmann Says:  It looks so peaceful and silent here! This place must be also wonderful in winter, when all the grave and this amazing church is covered with snow ...Maybe I should go there on a wonderful winter day.... it is not soo far from my home at all.And again, please feel free to...