The pilgrimage church complex near Sokolov. The first written mention dates back to 1341. Chlum sv. Máří is a pilgrimage site that has attracted pilgrims from near and far for centuries. Its origins date back to the end of the 15th century, when it was created from a Gothic church built around a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus in a walnut tree. According to legend, the statue was discovered by a young journeyman and no matter where he took it, it always returned to this place. People first built a wooden roof over it and later the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built here.The first pilgrimage church was built here around 1400, which was rebuilt in Baroque style between 1687–1728 according to the plans of the architect Kryštof Dienzenhofer. At that time, Chlum Svaté Maří was administered by the Knights of the Red Star and in the 18th century it was one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the country – and it did not lose its importance even despite the Josephine reforms.
Photo 1: Baroque St. Mary's Church
Photo 2: Interior of the pilgrimage church
Photo 3: Frescoes on the vault of the pilgrimage church