The hill is home to the rare Pulsatilla grandis (greater pasqueflower), which blooms in early spring.
The Church of St. Sebastian was established in 1623 by Cardinal Franz von Dietrichstein as an act of thanksgiving after a plague epidemic.
The site contains the only known colony of the rare European mantis in this part of Moravia.
The station buildings along the path are built in a unique Baroque style integrated directly into the natural slope.
During the Cold War, the hill was heavily restricted as it sat directly on the 'Iron Curtain' border with Austria.
Svatý kopeček (Holy Hill) is a prominent limestone hill in the Pálava Protected Landscape Area, rising 363 meters above the town of Mikulov. The site features the early 17th-century Church of St. Sebastian and a Calvary complex consisting of fourteen stations of the cross. It is a designated botanical nature reserve protected for its unique thermophilic flora and diverse insect populations. The hill is a major pilgrimage destination and serves as a geological landmark within the Pannonian basin. Trails lead to the summit, where visitors find expansive views of the town, the surrounding vineyards, and the borderlands of Austria. The summit area includes a bell tower and the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre. The location is part of the broader Pálava landscape, recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. It remains a publicly accessible site for hiking and spiritual reflection year-round.
The viewpoint near the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre looking back over the terracotta rooftops of Mikulov.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear as the paths are steep and composed of loose limestone gravel.
Bring binoculars to scan for raptors like the eastern imperial eagle, which are occasionally spotted near the peak.
Carry sufficient water, as there are no natural springs or services available on the ascent or at the summit.
Attempting the ascent in high-heeled shoes or flip-flops, and straying off the marked paths, which damages the fragile soil crust.
Respect the silence of the pilgrimage site and do not disturb the local wildlife or pick protected wildflowers.
