In Gojau (Kájov), several centuries of architectural and pilgrimage history come together in a small area. The Late Gothic pilgrimage church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the former pilgrimage road and an annual pilgrimage give the village a distinct cultural focus. There is also a specific option for a cycling trip: a signposted circular route whose length and character are easy to factor into your plans.
A Pilgrimage Complex from Different Periods
The pilgrimage church acquired its present Late Gothic form between 1471 and 1488. It has been a national cultural monument since 1995. The church complex also includes the Chapel of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, the rectory and a hospice. The ensemble is considered exceptionally well preserved and comprises buildings from different periods. Gojau can therefore be explored not only through a single church building, but also through the interplay of its various components.
The village’s features include a group of statues of Saints Thaddeus, Joseph and Anthony of Padua, restored in cooperation with the municipal office. Another part of the pilgrimage setting is the former road from Český Krumlov to Kájov. It is considered a valuable example of a historic Baroque thoroughfare and is closely connected with the pilgrimage complex. In 1667, fifteen granite columns depicting the mysteries of the Rosary were erected along this road.
Below the church, at the end of the pilgrimage road, a chapel with a well was built between 1686 and 1689. The spring that feeds the well is described as having healing water and is said to originate at the main altar.
Pilgrimage and Visitor Information
The Kájov pilgrimage continues to be held every October as an annual tradition. It takes place on the second Sunday after the second Saturday in October. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the exact date for the year in question. This lets you connect your visit with the tradition without assuming a fixed calendar date.
The new parish museum can be visited by prior arrangement. There are also local services for pilgrims on the Way of St. James: you can get a stamp in Kájov. Overnight accommodation is also available for pilgrims, but only by prior arrangement and subject to local availability.
Getting Around on Foot or by Bike
For a walk, the municipality suggests a route from church to church via Raziberk. For a break, it recommends the “Dubovky” benches, where you can sit and enjoy the surrounding nature. These are two different ways to include local paths in your day’s plans: a suggested walking route and a named place to stop and relax.
For a longer ride, the “Znovuobjevené Kájovsko–Boleticko” route is signposted. It is an easy, 20-kilometre day trip by bike and follows a circular route. The route is considered suitable for families, less experienced cyclists and seniors because of its easy terrain. Actual suitability may depend on conditions, so check them before setting off. The 20-kilometre distance provides a useful guide for planning your day without specifying a particular riding time.
The archaeological context also includes the Iron Age hillfort of Hradiště Raziberk. It lies to the left of the route from Kájov towards Boletice. This means Gojau offers a connection to a much earlier period as well as its Late Gothic church. If you are interested in the different historical layers of the village, you can take these themes into account when choosing when to travel and what activities to include.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Novosedly U Ceskeho Krumlova, Staré Dobrkovice, Lazec, Tritesch, Neudorf B. Berlau, Friedberg, Hohenfurth, Predni Vyton.
See the main travel overview: Okres Český Krumlov.
