The dominant feature of Levoča is a steep hill with a neo-Gothic church - Mariánska hora. It is one of the oldest and most important pilgrimage sites in Slovakia. The chapel on Mariánská hora was an expression of gratitude to the Spišiaks for their rescue at this place during the Tartar invasion in the years 1241 - 1242. Archaeologists found a fortified settlement on a hill just behind Mariánská hora, which is still called Burg - Castle. It was here that the inhabitants of the town were able to save themselves from the Tatars in the fortified stronghold.
The dominant feature of Levoča is a steep hill with a neo-Gothic church - Mariánska hora. It is one of the oldest and most important pilgrimage sites in Slovakia. The chapel on Mariánská hora was an expression of gratitude to the Spišiaks for their rescue at this place during the Tartar invasion in the years 1241 - 1242. Archaeologists found a fortified settlement on a hill just behind Mariánská hora, which is still called Burg - Castle. It was here that the inhabitants of the town were able to save themselves from the Tatars in the fortified stronghold.
To commemorate this event, they built a chapel on the hill below the fortified settlement, where thanksgiving processions took place every year together with the inhabitants of neighboring villages. This is how the first pilgrimage tradition was created. The development of the Marian cult was contributed to by the minorities, who founded a monastery in Levoča in the first half of the 14th century. In 1984, the church was upgraded to a small basilica. Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit Mariánská hora in Levoča to gain spiritual strength. In 1995, one of the goals was the visit of the Holy Father John Paul II. in Slovakia.
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