Marija Bistrica description and photos - Croatia: Zagreb (Topic)

Marija Bistrica description and photo - Croatia: Zagreb. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Marija Bistrica.

Photo and description

Maria Bystrica is located 20 kilometers from the Croatian capital, in the historical region called Croatian Zagorje. Maria Bistrica is famous primarily as the largest pilgrimage center in Croatia, which is visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year.

For the first time, Maria Bistrica is mentioned in documents dating back to 1209. In 1334, the first data on the Church of St. Peter and Paul. According to legend, during the threat of an attack by the Turks, a local priest hid in 1545 a statue depicting the Virgin Mary and Child. In 1588, the statue was found thanks to the bright glow that emanated from it. After this incredible incident, the statue began to be considered miraculous, and pilgrims began to come to Maria Bystrica.

In 1710, the Croatian parliament decided to allocate funds for the construction of a new altar in the church, which was built five years later. In 1731, the church was expanded and rededicated in honor of the Virgin Mary, in connection with which the name of the settlement also changed. In 1750, by the decision of Pope Benedict XVI, Maria Bystrica was included in the list of the Virgin Mary's sanctuaries.

From 1879 to 1882, a new church building was built in the neo-Renaissance style. The restoration project was designed by the architect Hermann Bolle. The temple was surrounded by arcades, and in 1883 acquired a modern look. In 1923, Pope Pius XI granted the Bistrica sanctuary the status of a "Minor Basilica", and later, in 1935, the icon was crowned by the Archbishop of Zagreb. In 1971, July 13 was proclaimed a festive day of the Mother of God Bistritskaya.

An important event in modern history is the visit of Maria Bystrica by Pope John Paul II in 1998. On October 3, he held a ceremony for the canonization of Archbishop Aloisy Stepinats.

We also recommend reading Pont de Bir-Hakeim description and photos - France: Paris

Topic: Marija Bistrica description and photos - Croatia: Zagreb.