Basilica of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Rajecká Lesná is located in the northwest of Slovakia in the Žilina Region. It is home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in our country - the Basilica of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The history of this place dates back to the fifteenth century. Originally, there was a church dedicated to Mary, Queen of Angels, which was demolished in the middle of the nineteenth century. In May of the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four the foundation stone of the new building was laid. Two years later, exactly on the twenty-seventh of May, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, the new church was consecrated. On this solemn occasion, a precious statue of the Virgin Mary was moved from the old church to the new one. Today's basilica is built in neo-Gothic style. Its plan is in the shape of an inverted cross. The nave measures twenty-eight metres in length and the transept is twenty metres wide. It is dominated by a prismatic tower with a hipped roof in which hangs a chime with four bells. Inside the basilica, the main altar with three niches catches the eye. In the centre stands a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one hundred and forty-five centimetres high. It was created by an unknown carver around the year one thousand four hundred and ninety-eight. People attribute many miraculous healings to her. In the side niches there are statues of angels. In the side arms of the church you will find the altar of St. Joseph and the altar of St. Anne. The ceiling is adorned with a magnificent painting depicting the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Next to the basilica stands the early fourteenth-century presbytery. On its walls, precious Gothic frescoes have been preserved and are now protected as a cultural monument. On the seventh of September in the year two thousand and two, the temple was awarded the title of Small Basilica. This honorary title was granted by the Holy Father thanks to the centuries-long tradition of veneration of the faithful from all over Slovakia. Pilgrims come to Rajecká Lesná especially on the eighth of September for the main pilgrimage for the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Other major pilgrimages take place in June on the feast of the Holy Trinity and the feast of St. Anne. The House of the Nativity at the Basilica is also of interest to visitors. Here you can admire the unique wooden Slovak crib. The hand-carved crib contains about three hundred and six figures, half of which even move. It depicts not only the story of Christ's birth, but also the everyday life and work of the Slovak people in the past. It also includes miniatures of the most important Slovak monuments. Rajecká Lesná is thus a place where faith, history and folk traditions of our nation come together.