Živčáková

Živčáková is known as the place of the apparition of the Virgin Mary, which happened on 1 June 1958. The farmer Matúš Lašut from Turzovka allegedly saw there a silhouette of a woman reminiscent of Our Lady of Lourdes. The news of the apparition spread quickly and pilgrims began to come to the mountain to take water from the healing springs below its summit. Despite the Church's refusal and obstacles from the former regime, the visits continued unabated. In 1993, at the request of the faithful, a chapel of Our Lady, Queen of Peace was built here. Its author is the architect Marián Goč. The chapel has a simple shape and a glass facade that allows a view of the altar and the statue of the Virgin Mary. According to legend, the image of the Virgin Mary survived the fire without damage, which pilgrims take as a sign. In 2008, Živčáková was declared an official Marian pilgrimage site and the construction of a new temple of Our Lady, Mother of the Church began. The foundation stone was blessed by Bishop Tomáš Galis. The temple was completed and consecrated in 2015 with the participation of thousands of pilgrims. On the altar wall there is a mosaic image created by the Roman centre Aletti. The Marian pilgrimage site Živčáková also offers an observation deck with a beautiful view of the surrounding nature of Kysuce. Thousands of believers come here every year for spring and autumn pilgrimages. The healing springs, the chapel and the temple make Živčáková one of the most important spiritual places in the region.