The Pilgrimage Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary and the Museum of Isolation, Internment and Integration give Bílá Voda U Javorníka a clear cultural and historical focus. There are also specific route connections: a marked 37-kilometre cycling route, the Stezka Slezskem and the Bílá Voda–Borders route. Visitors choosing this destination can consider the historical themes and the different routes as separate aspects of planning their trip.
The pilgrimage church and Piarist history
The Pilgrimage Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary and the former Piarist college have been the spiritual and historical centre of Bílá Voda for centuries. Its present appearance is the result of the Baroque rebuilding of a smaller church. Baron Kryštof von Maltitz had this earlier building constructed between 1602 and 1604. This provides a chronological framework for the building’s history: the church of the early 17th century was followed by the Baroque transformation that defines its present appearance.
Bílá Voda was the first Piarist foundation in all of Silesia. The Piarist seminary also had a cultural function: it served as a venue for music concerts and theatrical performances. At the solemn consecration of the pilgrimage church in 1777, seminarians performed a play that was seen by around 4,000 people. This historical event links the religious occasion with a large-scale theatrical performance.
The museum, local history and remembrance
The Museum of Isolation, Internment and Integration traces the history of the town, from the settlement’s first written mentions as Wyssoká, through its historical form, Weissasser, to its later resettlement. The second section focuses on the internment of nuns in Bílá Voda. This period began on 28 September 1950, when the first transport arrived as part of Operation R, which aimed to dissolve female religious communities. The museum thus focuses both on the early history of the settlement and on a defining chapter of the 20th century.
The cemetery in Bílá Voda is the final resting place of around 700 nuns. Alongside the museum’s exhibits, it is another important point of reference for the history of the religious communities in the town.
Groups wishing to visit the museum in the Piarist Grammar School and College with a guided tour must register by phone or email three weeks in advance. If you are planning a group tour, allow for this lead time and check the visiting arrangements again before making your enquiry.
Cycling route and other route connections
The marked cycling route 6044 is 37 kilometres long. From Bílá Voda, it passes through Růženec and Javorník, via Račí údolí to Uhelná and Vlčice, and on to Hraničky. Its length and the sequence of places provide a concrete framework for route planning; check the current conditions before setting off. The Stezka Slezskem reaches Bílá Voda via the border ridge of the Rychlebské Mountains and continues from there to Javorník and Vidnava. While cycling route 6044 is described by its distance and course, the Stezka Slezskem focuses on arrival via the border ridge and onward travel to the two towns.
The former castle park is also connected to a route: laid out in the second half of the 18th century, it is the starting point of the Bílá Voda–Borders route. Above the route near Bílá Voda, the Kraví Rocks are used by climbers. The route connections therefore range from a marked cycling trail to a route along the border ridge and a rocky area used by climbers. These different descriptions can help you distinguish the topics that interest you for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Javornik, Písečná, Hradec-Nová Ves, Vápenná, Uhelná, Česká Ves, Rejvíz, Horni Lipova.
For the broader travel overview: Jeseník District.
