Marian Hill

Marian Hill is a pilgrimage summit near Levoča featuring a neo-Gothic church with a central sculpture of the Virgin Mary at its core. Five chapels are positioned along a walking route that allows visitors to experience multiple religious stations.

The summit began as a refuge during the Tartar invasions of 1241, when residents built a protective chapel on the peak. This early chapel established the religious importance the site maintains today.

The site draws pilgrims from Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania who gather to pray and participate in religious ceremonies together. Visitors walk through the chapels along the path, each offering a place to pause and reflect on their faith.

The best time to visit is during the annual July pilgrimage when organized religious services take place on the summit. Wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for a climb, though helpful information about access and facilities is available from local offices.

In 2005, the site joined the European Association of Marian Pilgrimage Sites, placing it alongside world-known centers like Lourdes and Fatima. This recognition connects it to a network of important Mary veneration sites across Europe.