On the hill of Gottesberg (554 m) above Verneřice once stood one of northern Bohemia's most important baroque pilgrimage churches. Today only foundations remain among quiet woodland, but the site still draws visitors curious about forgotten sacred places and the region's turbulent past.

The hill is wooded and peaceful, with a reflective, almost melancholic atmosphere that contrasts sharply with its history as a bustling pilgrimage destination. In spring and summer the surrounding forest is lush and green, autumn brings rich colors, while winter silence adds to the site's haunting character. It's a rewarding stop for those interested in abandoned architecture and the German-Czech borderland heritage.

How to get there

• From Verneřice - forest trail, approx. 30-40 minutes, easy difficulty
• Alternative approach possible via forest paths from the eastern slope of the hill

Practical information

• The church was demolished with explosives on 16 January 1975 after years of neglect
• Only the foundations of the former baroque building survive today
• A Way of the Cross with 14 stations once stood on the eastern slope, among the oldest of its kind in the region

It's remarkable to think that in 1741 more than ten thousand pilgrims visited this hill in a single year - today only a quiet forest clearing marks the spot.