A Marian pilgrimage site, a chapel with a historic sandstone statue, and a 16 × 47-metre sundial give Píšť a varied cultural profile. Two different occasions are important when planning your trip: the annual pilgrimage of St. Lawrence and the summer use of the outdoor swimming pool and mini-golf course. You can plan your stay around sacred history, event dates, or summer leisure activities.
Church of St. Lawrence and Pilgrimage Site
The Church of St. Lawrence was built in 1743. Baroque statues of St. Peter and St. Paul have been preserved inside. In 2002, the church was established as a Marian pilgrimage site for prayers for peace and reconciliation among peoples. The pilgrimage site also includes a Way of the Cross, completed in 2003 and featuring ceramic reliefs, and a Lourdes grotto. The focus is therefore not only on the church building but also on the site’s religious dedication and design.
The Way of the Cross and the grotto add further elements of the pilgrimage site to the sacred artworks inside the church. Those interested in religious architectural and art history can explore different facets of the place, rather than getting to know Píšť through just one building.
Chapel and Sandstone Statue
The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk offers a different architectural form. The octagonal building is a cultural monument dating from the late 19th century. Octagonal means that it has eight sides. The chapel houses an 18th-century sandstone statue of St. John of Nepomuk. The statue is therefore older than the building in which it stands. This contrast in age offers a distinct way to explore the history of the place: the chapel dates from the late 19th century, while its artwork dates back to the 18th century.
The Park Sundial in Píšť
The park sundial measures 16 × 47 metres. When it was created in July 2005, it was the largest sundial of this type in Europe. This comparison in size applies to the time when it was created. Its dimensions and historical distinction make the sundial a different focal point from the sacred buildings: here, the emphasis is on its scale and its distinction at a specific point in time.
Pilgrimage and Summer Activities
The pilgrimage of St. Lawrence, known as the “Píšťský odpust,” takes place every year in August. There are several pilgrimage events in the week around 10 August; the specific programme can vary from year to year. If you plan to visit for the pilgrimage, check the dates for your travel year before planning your stay.
The local outdoor swimming pool and mini-golf course are used in summer. The mini-golf course is next to the outdoor swimming pool; an international mini-golf tournament is held there every year as part of Czech-Polish cross-border cooperation. This offers two different summer activities: using the outdoor swimming pool and mini-golf course, and attending the recurring tournament. The pilgrimage, by contrast, is an annual August event featuring several activities around 10 August.
Border Crossing and Nature Nearby
Píšť has an international border crossing to Owsiszcze. Check its operating status before travelling.
Near Píšť, the Hranečník natural monument protects a colony of grey herons (Ardea cinerea) that is rare in North Moravia. This adds a natural attraction to the town’s architectural and pilgrimage history. Nesting areas may need protection from disturbance. So if you include the natural monument in your trip, take care to minimise disturbance during your visit.
Discover more destinations: Větřkovice, Sudice, Děhylov, Mikolajice, Štáblovice, Štěpánkovice, Raduň, Nové Sedlice.
Back to the overview of destinations: Okres Opava.
