Máriapócs – St. Michael Church, National Shrine

Information about the pilgrimage site

The village of Pócs, founded in the Middle Ages, is located in the North Hungarian Plain, approximately 280 km from Budapest. Its present name, Máriapócs, was given due to a miracle that occurred in 1696. In honor of this miracle, the name of the Virgin Mary was added to the village’s name, and it is now known as Máriapócs in the religious world. Its significance is reflected in its designation as a National Shrine in 2005. Máriapócs is situated in a region rich in attractions. The city of Nyíregyháza, located 38 km away, offers various points of interest and activities for tourists with diverse interests. Nyíregyháza features churches representing multiple denominations (Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, Lutheran, Jewish), the Sóstó Outdoor Museum, a thermal bath, and a nationally renowned zoo. These attractions cater to a wide range of tourists.

The main pilgrimage attraction is the Greek Catholic pilgrimage church, the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, where the painting of Mary is housed. The original painting was in a small wooden church where the miracle occurred for the first time in 1696 when tears flowed from Mary’s eyes for a month. The painting was then taken to Vienna by order of the Austrian emperor and placed in the Basilica of St. Stephen, where it has not shed tears since. Several copies of the painting were made, and one returned to Máriapócs. In 1715, the miracle recurred, and the painting started shedding tears again. This marked the beginning of Máriapócs as a pilgrimage site. The original small wooden church could no longer accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims, leading to the construction of a new early Baroque-style church. The last shedding of tears from the painting occurred in 1905. In 1991, Pope John Paul II visited Máriapócs and performed the Byzantine-style Holy Liturgy. In commemoration of this event, a memorial park was established. The three major pilgrimages, occurring in the summer (July 20, Aug 15, and Sept 8), attract the most pilgrims. The town welcomes tourists throughout the year, offering attractions such as the park, the beautiful church, a replica of the original wooden church, the Basilian Monastic Order Collection, and a 9 km-long educational trail called the “Path of Beatitudes,” allowing tourists to explore part of Máriapócs. Children can enjoy a playground with a Noah’s Ark carved from wood. The Roman Catholic church is the oldest building in the city, constructed in the 14th century in the Gothic style. Over the course of history, it fell into ruin but was rebuilt in the 16th century. Within the nave of the church, one can still admire the fragment of the 15th-century fresco known as “Köpenyes Mária” (Virgin Mary in a Cloak). This fresco fragment, created in the 15th century, illustrates the close connection between the people of Pócs and their devotion to Mary.

Tourist attractions in the vicinity

Báthori Castle and Panoptikum – the Báthori family played a significant role in the medieval history of Hungary. The castle was built in the 15th century in Nyírbátor, and over the centuries, it underwent continuous expansion, bearing the stylistic features of different eras. Declared a monument in 1985, the castle’s northern palace, despite its poor technical condition, became one of the country’s most significant late Gothic monuments. The castle was rebuilt in 2006 and is now open to visitors, preserving medieval remnants within its ancestral walls. More informations: https://bathorivarkastely.hu

Dégenfeld Castle Museum (Baktalórántháza) – the foundations of this castle were laid in the early 1600s and expanded into a complex building over the decades. The ownership of the estate and the castle changed hands among noble families over the years until it was acquired by the Dégenfeld family in 1834. Besides historical exhibitions, the castle hosts events and programs for visitors.

Harangod (Nagykálló) – not to be confused with the Harangod region in Zemplén. The Harangod in Nagykálló is a significant recreational and event venue with a barn, lookout tower, and spacious areas reminiscent of an open-air museum. It hosts folk art and heritage preservation programs throughout the year, making it a popular destination for school trips and nature enthusiasts.

Other tourists attractions in the vicinity of the pilgrimage site can be found on the website of Nyíregyháza Tourism Nonprofit Ltd., https://nyiregyhaza.info.hu/en/