The Nativity Church of the Virgin Mary in Zlín-Štípa
Štípa is a well-known pilgrimage site near Zlín as well as one of the stops of the Cyril and Methodius pilgrimage route. For more than four hundred years the grace statue of the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus has attracted pilgrims here. One of the three oldest Marian statues in Moravia was discovered, according to legend, in a nearby wood – a chapel was erected over the statue and, in 1616, the foundation stone was laid for a new monumental temple.
Originally it was Lukrecia Nekešová, the owner of the Lukov estate and first wife of Albrecht of Valdštejn, who wanted to build the church, but the construction was actually initiated by Valdštejn after her death, inviting the Carthusians of Dolany and Olomouc to the new monastery. The church was consecrated in 1765 and today it is the dominant landmark of the whole area. The grace statue of the Virgin Mary on the main altar, richly robed and adorned with gold, silver, pearls and gems, dates from the early 14th century.
The church of St. Cyril and Methodius, considered as the Neo-Gothic pearl of the Zlín region, is located in Bratřejov near Vizovice. The interior features a main altar with the saints Cyril and Methodius, paintings and faceted windows inspired by the life of the saints.
