Zašová: Pilgrimage Church, Circular Route and Cultural Heritage

Zašová offers several starting points for planning a trip: a circular route beginning at the Stračka pilgrimage site, architectural and church history, and recurring events. If you are looking for a hotel in Zašová, you can first consider whether you would like your days to focus more on a church visit, a walk or a scheduled event. Opening times and event dates provide useful reference points for planning.

Stračka and the Velký okruh

The Stračka pilgrimage site is situated on a hillside and has a spring that rises there. The 4.6-kilometre walking loop, Velký okruh, starts at the pilgrimage site and goes around Stračka and Pohoř and through the surrounding forests. Its length and named route give you a concrete framework if you want to include a walk in your day’s plans.

At the pilgrimage site, pilgrims and visitors draw water daily from the forest spring. The water quality of the spring at Stračka varies and can deteriorate, particularly in hot weather and after rain. If you plan to visit the spring area, you should take this fluctuating quality into account.

Church and Monastery in Zašová

The Pilgrimage Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary was built in the early 18th century by the owners of the Valašské Meziříčí–Rožnov estate. The Baroque high altar features a Gothic panel painting of the Virgin Mary and Child from the mid-15th century. The church’s furnishings thus bring together different periods: the Baroque altar and the older painting.

The Trinitarian monastery in Zašová is the only surviving monastery of this order in Czechia. A mobile app offers an interactive game about the history and work of the Trinitarian Order for adults and children aged eight and over. The monastery garden is freely accessible year-round; check this access information before your visit, as it may change.

Educational Trail and Architectural History in Veselá

The educational trail through Veselá introduces the area’s history and natural environment. Local architectural and cultural monuments include the rectory and the Church of St. Martin. The rectory retains its Josephine character from 1785 and is protected as a cultural monument. The Church of St. Martin in Veselá has been a prominent landmark in the landscape since 1821 and is one of the last monuments of the Josephine architectural style in Wallachia. The trail offers an introduction to history and nature, while the two buildings add concrete examples of regional architectural history.

Opening Times and Event Dates

The Pilgrimage Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary is open to the public from May 1 to September 28: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m., and Sundays and public holidays from 1 to 5 p.m. Check the current schedule before travelling. Guided tours in Zašová are available on request for groups and excursions.

The Zašovská pouť takes place every year on the first Sunday after July 2, following the Feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. The Zašovské slavnosti follow a different calendar date: they take place every year on the first Saturday in September. As the exact calendar dates vary from year to year, check the date for the relevant year if you want to plan your trip around either event.

Cycling and Winter Sports

A pump track for cycling was built in the Skály area in 2024 and is open to the public around the clock. The Skiareál Veselá ski area has ski slopes that are groomed and lit daily, with artificial snow; its operation varies by season. This offers two clearly different types of activity: cycling on the pump track and seasonal skiing.

Discover more destinations: Prlov, Jarcová, Branky, Pustevny, Dolni Becva, Karolinka, Kelč, Leskovec

For the broader travel overview: Okres Vsetín.