Given the importance of the church and the anticipated numbers of pilgrims, it was necessary to carefully select the location where the entire complex would be built. The chosen location not only had to meet spatial requirements but also enhance the unusual architecture.

The hill located east of the monastery and selected as the location of the pilgrimage church was originally covered with dense forest. This was reflected in its name "Černý les", the Black Forest. The trees were cut down to give space for the construction and the hill was renamed to "Zelená hora", the Green Hill, which was a reference to Žďár`s mother monastery in Nepomuk where St John of Nepomuk was born and where the Green Hill forms the siluette of the small town. After the clearing of the forest, the newly built church became a dominant of the entire area.

However, the ideal state did not last long and after the monastery was abolished, the area around the church began to be used intensively. In 1839, according to archive materials, Zelená hora had already been partially forested for several years (the northern slope and part of the southern slope) but the composition and quality of the vegetation was not very good. The remaining parts were covered with overgrown bushes and used as pasture for cattle. The owner of the estate, Franz Josef of Dietrichstein, demanded the complete afforestation of the area. However, the administrator of the estate, František Turinský, did not recommend this due to the low quality of the existing forest and the danger of the destruction of trees by pilgrims. In his opinion, the establishment of an English park would have been the most suitable but the owner refused this idea due to the large financial requirements. The modest modifications permitted by the owner ultimately resulted in complete afforestation in the 1940s. A wooden dance hall was also established here for the enjoyment of locals for whom Zelená hora served as a place of excursions and relaxation. The forest grew in the place until the beginning of the 21st century when the trees were cut down as part of the revitalization of the entire area. In the moment, visitors have the opportunity to see the church as it was seen by locals and pilgrims during the times of its greatest glory.

Unfortunately, the location that is advantageous in terms of the position in the landscape is not suitable in terms of the effects of weather on the building, especially since the local region ranks among the less hospitable ones. The exposure of the church to wind, rain and snow is the reason for the rapid aging and wear of the materials used, which means that the monument requires frequent maintenance.