Mariánska hora, Minor basilica on Mariánska hill in Levoča, Slovakia.
Mariánska hora is a Gothic Revival minor basilica standing on a hill above the town of Levoča in Slovakia. The church faces the old town below and the wide plain of the Spiš region stretching toward the horizon.
A first chapel was built on this hill in the 13th century, after people from the area sought shelter during the Mongol invasions. The current building replaced earlier structures and was completed in the 19th century in the Gothic Revival style.
Every July, the hill becomes the site of the largest pilgrimage in Slovakia, drawing people from across the country and beyond. Outside of that period, the place is much quieter and visited mostly by those seeking a moment of prayer or a walk with a view.
The hill can be reached on foot from Levoča, following a path that starts near the town gate and leads up the slope. During the July pilgrimage, the area fills with very large numbers of visitors, so arriving early in the day makes the visit easier.
Pope John Paul II visited and celebrated Mass here in 1995 in front of one of the largest gatherings ever held in Slovakia. A memorial plaque on the grounds marks the spot where he stood during the ceremony.
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