Basilica of St. Nicholas in Trnava (source: regiontrnava.sk)
In the heart of central Europe, where mediaeval cathedrals rise over ancient cobbled streets and forested trails lead to centuries-old chapels, a new digital map is guiding travellers through the region’s most significant pilgrimage routes. Covering Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary, the interactive tool connects spiritual seekers and history enthusiasts alike to a tradition that has shaped the cultural fabric of the Visegrad Four for centuries.
“Pilgrimage tourism is undergoing a revival, attracting not only the faithful but also secular visitors,” said Jana Černá, head of the project team from the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, which spearheaded the initiative. “It’s more than just a physical journey; it’s a return to simplicity and a search for deeper meaning.”
From Poland’s revered Jasna Góra Monastery to Slovakia’s Mariánska hora, each site on the map - available at www.europepilgrime.eu - offers a glimpse into a shared history shaped by Saints Cyril and Methodius. The 9th-century Byzantine missionaries played a crucial role in spreading Christianity across the region. They also developed the Glagolitic alphabet, a precursor to Cyrillic, and translated religious texts into Old Church Slavonic, making faith accessible to the Slavic peoples.
At many locations, pilgrimage traditions remain deeply embedded in local culture, with vibrant folk music, traditional costumes, and age-old rituals accompanying religious processions.
Funded by the International Visegrad Fund and developed in collaboration with universities and cultural organisations across the region, the project is more than a digital resource - it is an invitation to slow down, walk ancient paths, and step into a history where faith and folklore intertwine.
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