Hluboké Mašůvky: Pilgrimage, History and Routes

Those who choose Hluboké Mašůvky as a travel destination will find a combination of pilgrimage, archaeological heritage, and routes through valleys and hilly countryside. The Pilgrimage Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, the pilgrimage complex, and several hiking and cycling trails offer different points of interest. Hluboké Mašůvky lies in the Jevišovická Uplands, in the Svatoňovec valley.

Pilgrimage as a reason to visit

The Pilgrimage Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary was founded in 1680. Marian pilgrimages take place on the first Saturday of every month; the annual main pilgrimage takes place on the first Saturday and Sunday in July. This means there is both a regular monthly event and a specifically designated annual event. If you would like to plan your trip around a pilgrimage, check the specific date in advance.

The pilgrimage grounds are behind the church and less than 200 meters from a bus stop. If you plan to travel by bus, check local connections before setting out. This allows you to include this landmark in your travel plans without conflating the pilgrimage date with travel arrangements.

Pilgrimage sites and cultural history

The pilgrimage complex includes a Stations of the Cross, the Lourdes Grotto, the Holy Sepulchre, and a Marian Way with more than 50 depictions of pilgrimage sites from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria. The sequence of images thus also draws attention to pilgrimage sites in three countries. Together with the grotto, sepulchre, and Stations of the Cross, it shapes the religious character of the place.

Three wooden crosses stand on the Calvary of Hluboké Mašůvky; the Holy Sepulchre is located near the Calvary. The original wooden Stations of the Cross chapels, built in 1860, were later replaced by masonry chapels. This transition from wooden to masonry construction adds a specific historical change to the religious sites.

The Niva, Nivky, Padělky site offers a different way to explore history. It is classified as a significant archaeological site in the municipalities of Hluboké Mašůvky and Plenkovice. The site includes part of a fortified settlement with a pointed ditch and two inner palisade fences. These structural features provide an archaeological focus distinct from the church history and pilgrimage traditions.

Hiking and cycling

A green-marked hiking trail starts at Mariánské náměstí and runs through the valley of the Plenkovický potok. Along the way, it passes the outdoor swimming pool, Hlavatův mlýn, Bábovec, and the ruins of Lapikus Castle. The route description thus links the village square and the valley with several named stops. As trail markings may change over time, it is advisable to check the current route before setting out.

Themed cycling route Mlynářská stezka passes through Hluboké Mašůvky on its route through the Znojmo region and focuses on the history of milling. It was newly marked from 2025; route details may change. The Jevišovka hiking route passes a shelter near Hluboké Mašůvky and continues over wooded ridges. The routes therefore differ in their modes of travel and themes: a hike with stops in the valley, a cycling route exploring milling history, and a hiking route past the shelter toward the wooded ridges.

Hluboké Mašůvky therefore offers several specific points of interest to help you plan your trip: recurring pilgrimage dates, religious and archaeological history, and trails with different themes and landscapes. Consider which of these aspects matters most for your stay, then choose your destination and hotel accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Tvořihráz, Stálky, Jezeřany-Maršovice, Ctidružice, Miroslavské Knínice, Plaveč, Našiměřice, Lukov.

For the broader travel overview: Znojmo District.