Religious Tourism on the Example of Nation Pilgrim Places in Slovakia (Patronages of the Virgin Mary)

Slovakia boasts a rich tradition of religious tourism, particularly centered around Marian pilgrimage sites. Of the 5925 known church and chapel patronages in Slovakia, 1762 are dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with 329 specifically consecrated to the Seven Sorrows of Our Virgin Mary. Field research identified six nationally significant pilgrimage sites: Marianka, Staré Hory, Levoča, Šaštín, Nitra, and Ľutina. These sites serve as sacred intersections where divine paths meet human journeys, reflecting Slovakia's deep-rooted Christian heritage. The study employed terrain reconnaissance alongside archival and parish document analysis to characterize these pilgrimage destinations, underscoring their cultural and perhaps international significance.

Judák, V., Petrikovičová, L., & Akimjak, A. (2022). Religious Tourism on the Example of Nation Pilgrim Places in Slovakia (Patronages of the Virgin Mary). Journal of Education Culture and Society, 13(2), 615–630. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2022.2.615.630