Letarovice – Pilgrimage, Church and Ossuary

Letarovice combines a vibrant pilgrimage tradition with remarkable sacred sights. The focus is on the Church of St James the Greater, the neighbouring ossuary and events that bring together religious customs, music, walks and local offerings. This makes the place suitable for you if, during your stay, you want not only to visit a sight but also to experience a specific cultural occasion.

Church and Ossuary in Letařovice

The pilgrimage Church of St James the Greater is located in Letařovice. Its coffered ceiling contains 60 scenes from the life of its patron saint, providing a clearly defined detail to see on site.

The late Baroque ossuary in Letařovice is next to the church. It is the only ossuary in the Liberec Region whose interior was inspired by the ossuary in Sedlec. The church and ossuary are therefore independent cultural points of interest in the village that can be connected thematically without requiring you to visit different destinations.

The two sacred sites each have a different focus. In the church, attention is drawn to the 60 scenes on the coffered ceiling and thus to a cohesive depiction from the life of the patron saint. In the late Baroque ossuary, by contrast, the focus is on the interior inspired by Sedlec. This juxtaposition combines the pictorial programme and the interior design into a clear thematic structure for the visit. Their adjacent location makes this comparison possible within a single visit to the village. The visit therefore alternates between narrative scenes and an independent Baroque spatial design.

Pilgrimage and Local Tradition

The local pilgrimage tradition was resumed in 1990 after an interruption lasting several decades. A traditional St James pilgrimage takes place in Letařovice on the last Sunday in July. During the pilgrimage, processions lead to four altars on forest paths around Letařovice.

The “Pouť mezi dvěma Jány” festival has taken place in Letařovice since 2011. The town of Český Dub scheduled the event in Letařovice for 6 June 2026, from 10:00 to 17:00. During the pilgrimage, stalls on the village green in Letařovice offer visitors gingerbread and baskets for purchase. In this way, the religious occasion is combined with a specific insight into the local festival tradition.

On Foot to Letařovice

If you would like to include a pilgrimage route in your stay, the pilgrimage trail from Kryštofovo Údolí to Letařovice is approximately 23.5 km long. From Český Dub, visitors can reach Letařovice on foot in about 40 minutes via a blue-marked trail. The two details describe different approaches to the village and help you combine your visit with a hike or a shorter walk without assuming an unsupported walking time for the longer route.

Other Destinations in the Selection

For further searches within the same selection, you will also find Janův Důl, Vrtky, Horní Řasnice, Vselibice, Prosec Pod Jestedem, Chotyně, Nová Ves U Chrastavy and Hodkovice Nad Mohelkou.

To the higher-level travel overview: Liberec District.