Mariánské Radčice: Pilgrimage Site, History and Walking Tour

Pilgrimage Complex and Building History

The pilgrimage complex in Mariánské Radčice can be visited Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 15:00, or by prior arrangement. Check visiting hours before you travel. If you plan to visit outside the stated hours, arrange your visit in advance.

The history of the pilgrimage site goes back further than the information about its construction: its origins are linked to the veneration of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Sorrows and date back to the 13th century. The foundation stone of the church was laid in 1698. These details mark two distinct historical periods: the beginnings of the religious tradition and a specific milestone in the church’s history.

Abbot Benedikt Littwerich had a new Baroque church, a cloister and a parish built at the pilgrimage site. His successor, Hieronymus Besnecker, completed these building projects. In understanding the site’s history, its early veneration and later construction projects belong together, but the pilgrimage site’s origins should not be reduced to the year the church was built.

The Radčický Circuit

The Radčický circuit is a walking route through the municipality. It starts and ends in front of the local inn “U Davida”; along the way, information boards cover several local and regional topics. The route is therefore described not merely as a way through the municipality, but also as a walking tour with historical content. If you would like to explore local and regional history as well as the pilgrimage complex, the circuit offers a dedicated, information-board-focused way to do so.

One stop provides information about the relocated small monuments in Mariánské Radčice and the surrounding area. Another board covers the history of the Osek–Mariánské Radčice pilgrimage route. The final stop is devoted to the history and present of mining around the town. The topics offer different perspectives: monuments in the surrounding area, the history of a named pilgrimage route, and mining as a regional subject. You can explore the circuit according to whichever topic interests you most, rather than reducing the information on the boards to the church’s construction history.

The mining connection is complemented by the nearby former Důl Koh-i-noor II lignite mine: it operated until 2002 and produced more than 52 million tonnes of lignite. Parts of the mine’s operating buildings have been protected as monuments since 2002. The year 2002 thus marks both the end of operations and the year from which parts of the buildings have been protected, helping to place mining in its historical and architectural context.

Cycling

For cyclists, Route 3073 offers a different way to find your bearings. In Mariánské Radčice, it connects to cycle route 25 and ends after 6.32 km in Loučná, where it joins Route 231. These connections and the route length give you specific points to use when planning your ride. Check the current signage before setting off.

The Radčický circuit, by contrast, focuses on a walk through the municipality and its themed information boards. On foot, you can encounter the local and regional topics mentioned above; Route 3073 describes a cycling connection with named junctions and a specific distance. The main difference between the options is whether you are interested in a themed walking tour or a cycle route with designated connections.

Discover more destinations: Skršín, Louka U Litvínova, Lišnice, Havraň, Bělušice, Becov U Mostu, Polerady, Český Jiřetín

See the broader travel guide: Okres Most.