Velehrad: Pilgrimage Tradition, Basilica and Trails

Velehrad brings together several themes for a stay: its pilgrimage tradition, the basilica, trails through the countryside and wine from the Slovácko region. Which of these aspects you focus on will shape the character of your visit. The offerings vary considerably: alongside short and longer routes, there are cultural and historical sites, cycling paths and regional wine tastings. This lets you plan your stay around your interests without treating the different offerings as interchangeable.

Pilgrimage Tradition and the Basilica

Tens of thousands of pilgrims gather in Velehrad for the annual pilgrimages. The “Dny lidí dobré vůle” are associated with the pilgrimage events; the aim of the event is to support various charitable projects. The pilgrimages and their charitable purpose bring different accents to the cultural life of the town.

The Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saints Cyril and Methodius was originally a late Romanesque building dating from the first third of the 13th century. After suffering war damage, particularly in the fire of 1681, it acquired its Baroque appearance. On a guided tour of the basilica, visitors see the main nave and side chapels.

Exhibitions and Historic Rooms

The “Bible for Young and Old” exhibition is interactive. Tactile elements and touchscreen activities are among its offerings. It thus brings together different ways of engaging with the Bible.

The exhibition “Velehrad at the Crossroads of European History” is located in the rooms of the former medieval convent, below today’s ground level, in the basilica’s Baroque crypts and in the Velehrad House of Saints Cyril and Methodius. In the basilica’s basement there is also a sacred space commemorating Christian martyrs of the 20th century, as well as a gallery of witnesses to the faith of our time.

Walking and Cycling Trails

The Cistercian trails through the countryside include an easy 4.2-kilometre route and a difficult 9.9-kilometre route. Among other places, they lead to a former mill and farmstead, and cross a Baroque bridge and the medieval paved Háje Way. The routes combine different levels of difficulty with landscape and historical features.

The “Velehradská hledačka” around the basilica is an easy 1.5-kilometre route that starts at the Velehrad Information Centre. A second “Velehradská hledačka” is 3.8 kilometres long and not physically demanding. The two options therefore differ both in length and in how their level of difficulty is described.

The Háj nature trail follows a two-kilometre forest loop past interactive activities and audio stories accessible via QR codes. The trail also includes a rest pavilion. Velehrad is also a hub for cycling paths and routes at the foot of the Chřiby Mountains. The Velehrad Tourist Centre has cycling facilities with tools and some spare parts; sports scooters are also available to rent there.

Wine from Slovácko

The vineyards and winegrowers in Velehrad are part of the Slovácko wine region. Visitors can taste and buy excellent wines from local winemakers. This adds a culinary focus to a visit that can also include the basilica, exhibitions and trails.

Discover more destinations: Slavkov, Suchá Loz, Bystřice Pod Lopeníkem, Jalubí, Vážany U Uherského Hradiště, Horní Němčí, Drslavice, Vlčnov.

For the broader travel overview: Uherské Hradiště District.