Homol lies between Borovnice and Lhoty U Potštejna and is the village’s most distinctive pilgrimage and cultural landmark. The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows is at the centre of the area’s architectural history; in 2018, the Homol pilgrimage complex was declared a national cultural monument. If you are considering Lhoty U Potštejna as a travel destination, this gives you a specific cultural highlight to start with.
A pilgrimage site with a long building history
Work on the “Na Homoli” pilgrimage site began in 1692 under the direction of Countess Terezie Eleonora z Ugarte, owner of the Borovnice estate. The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Homol was founded that same year and consecrated in 1696. The start of construction and the church’s consecration were therefore separate steps in the chronology. The ossuary in the Homol complex dates from 1778, considerably later than the church’s foundation.
Church, chapels and staircase
The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows is an early Baroque, single-nave church with a tower. “Single-nave” describes the layout of the church interior, while “early Baroque” identifies its style. The tower is another separately noted feature of the building. Together, these details help distinguish the church’s architectural description from the other parts of the pilgrimage site.
The pilgrimage complex also includes two chapels and a staircase. The access staircase to Homol has 153 steps and 16 landings. These figures describe different aspects of the structure: the number of steps indicates the staircase’s extent, while the landings describe how it is divided. Along with the church, chapels and ossuary, they give a picture of several clearly distinct structures.
Landscape and travel
The waterways Brodec, Hájecký potok, Lhotský potok and Prorubský potok, as well as the Chmelnický rybník pond, are part of Lhoty U Potštejna. These names add a distinct landscape dimension to the area’s architectural history. Culture and landscape are thus two different points of reference when weighing up the character of the village for your trip.
A blue-marked route is also historically associated with Homol: established in 2010, it ran from the signpost at Pod Velešovem to Lhoty u Potštejna and the Homole or Homol pilgrimage site, then via Malá Lhota to Polom. Before setting out, check the current waymarking and trail conditions.
For bus planning, the IREDO stop directory dated 11 May 2026 lists the stops “Lhoty u Potštejna,,Homole” and “Lhoty u Potštejna,,náves”. Use these names to help find your connection. Timetables and service frequency should be checked separately and may change, so consult the current timetable before travelling.
Homol is Lhoty U Potštejna’s cultural highlight, while the waterways mentioned above add a landscape dimension. The historical dates place the building history in context; the stop names and route information provide practical pointers for planning your journey.
Discover more destinations: Bolehošť, Lípa Nad Orlicí, Plasnice, Rícky V Orlických Horách, Semechnice, Chlístov U Dobrušky, Licno, Panske Pole
For the broader travel overview: Okres Rychnov Nad Kněžnou.
