Kostel Navštívení Panny Marie (Horní Police, Česko)

The Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Horní Police is a Baroque pilgrimage sanctuary standing on a ridge above the Ploučnice River, in the village of Horní Police, Česká Lípa District, Liberec Region, in northern Czechia. Despite the small size of the village itself, the church complex ranks among the most significant Marian pilgrimage sites in the region and has been listed as a Czech national cultural monument since 2018.

How far back does the history of this site go?

The first church at this location is documented as early as 1291, mentioned in a charter of the Premonstratensian monastery in Doksany, which administered the site at the time. The original Gothic building was destroyed in 1426 during a Hussite raid, and the settlement lost its religious importance for nearly a century. Everything changed in 1523, when a small statue of a pregnant Virgin Mary, iconographically linked to the Visitation scene, was found on the bank of the Ploučnice River. Handed over to the local church, the statue quickly began attracting pilgrims, and Horní Police grew into one of the leading centers of Marian devotion in the Česká Lípa area.

Where does the current Baroque appearance come from?

The church and the surrounding complex took their present form between 1689 and 1725, commissioned by Duke Julius Francis of Saxe-Lauenburg and his daughter Anna Maria Franziska, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, who financed the transformation of the pilgrimage site into a monumental Baroque devotional residence. The design and construction were entrusted to architect Giulio Broggio, continued by his son Octavio Broggio, with later additions by Václav Špaček. As a result, Horní Police retained an unusually consistent architectural style, since the complex was never significantly altered in the following centuries.

What can visitors actually see in the pilgrimage complex today?

The site comprises the church itself, a freestanding bell tower, a covered ambulatory (cloister) surrounding the courtyard, the former archdeaconry building, and a monument dedicated to Wenzel Hocke. Beneath the northern wing of the ambulatory lies an ossuary, which is not open to visitors. In 1723 the church was elevated to the status of an archdeaconry, and a year later relics of Saint Christina and Saint Paul were brought here. Between 2018 and 2022 the whole complex underwent a thorough restoration, partly funded through EU programs.

When do pilgrimages take place here?

The main pilgrimage day falls on the Sunday preceding July 2, the former liturgical feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the height of its popularity, the sanctuary reportedly recorded 30,000 to 40,000 communions distributed on a single pilgrimage day, underlining how significant the site once was within the historical Czech lands.

FAQ

Where exactly is the church located? In the village of Horní Police, on a hill above the Ploučnice River, in Česká Lípa District, Liberec Region.

Can visitors go inside the church? The complex grounds are open daily from 9:00 to 18:00. The church interior and the small museum section are accessible on Sundays from 13:00 to 18:00, or by prior arrangement.

Is the site wheelchair accessible? Yes, the west-side entrance is adapted for wheelchair access.

What is the story behind the miraculous statue? According to local tradition, in 1523 a statue of a pregnant Virgin Mary was recovered from the waters of the Ploučnice River and given to the local church — an event that launched the pilgrimage tradition that continues today.

Where can visitors park? Parking is available below the village and near the local cemetery.