Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Vranov)

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Vranov, a small village in the Brno-venkov district of the South Moravian Region, ranks among Moravia's most important pilgrimage sites. For nearly four centuries this modest settlement outside Brno has drawn visitors thanks to a healing legend and an early Baroque church built with funding from the Liechtenstein family.

What legend gave rise to this pilgrimage site?

Local tradition holds that in 1240 a Moravian nobleman named Vilém lost his way in the deep forest while suffering from a serious eye ailment. Praying to the Virgin Mary for help, he is said to have seen her appear between two oak trees; she showed him the path out of the woods and healed his sight. A wooden chapel was first raised on the spot of the apparition, and over time a center of Marian devotion grew up around it, known throughout the region.

When was today's church built?

The current stone, early Baroque church replaced the original wooden chapel between 1617 and 1633, funded by Maximilian of Liechtenstein. Construction involved a Jesuit architect referred to as J. Maria together with the Brno-based builder Giovanni Giacomo Tencalla. Beneath the nave lies the Liechtenstein family crypt, the burial place of members of a noble house closely tied to the region for centuries.

What else remains of the original complex?

The church, its crypt, and the surviving remnants of the former monastery are today protected as cultural monuments of the Czech Republic. The site now serves as the Vranov spiritual center — a place for prayer as well as gatherings and retreats, keeping the region's pilgrimage tradition alive.

When do the pilgrimages take place?

The main pilgrimage season runs from September through the first Sunday of October, with services held on Saturdays and Sundays. The principal pilgrimage Mass falls on the Sunday following the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, celebrated on September 8 — the day that draws the largest crowds of the faithful from across South Moravia.

How do you get there, and what else is nearby?

Vranov sits right next to Brno, making it an easy day-trip destination from the city. Surrounded by forest, the village retains the quiet character of a traditional pilgrimage site far from any bustle — a walk around the church and the remaining monastery buildings naturally rounds out a visit to the church itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the church be visited outside the pilgrimage season? Yes. The church functions as a spiritual center year-round, though September through early October brings the heaviest pilgrim traffic and additional services.

What is kept in the crypt beneath the church? The crypt holds the graves of the Liechtenstein family, the sponsors of today's Baroque building, who played a major role in the region's history for centuries.

Is Vranov a large town? No, it is a small village in the Brno-venkov district, and its significance comes almost entirely from its role as a pilgrimage center built around the church.

What legend is tied to this place? According to tradition, a nobleman named Vilém, lost in the forest in 1240 and suffering from an eye disease, was healed after the Virgin Mary appeared to him between two oak trees — an event that launched the Marian cult at Vranov.