Slovakia

Pilgrimage as an expression of human piety has a long and strong tradition in Slovak history. Even
though state structures or regimes have changed several times in the territory of Slovakia today,
the religiosity of the population remains deeply rooted. It is the religiosity of the population that
has had the strongest influence on the formation of pilgrimage tourism in Slovakia. In particular,
it is Christianity, and the Roman Catholic Church has been and continues to be dominant.
Belonging to Christianity has always shaped elements of material, spiritual and social culture, but
also, for example, folklore and folk piety. The Christian tradition in Slovakia dates back to the
arrival of the holy Thessalonian brothers Cyril and Methodius in 863 and has been preserved to
this day. Slovakia is one of the countries with a high number of Catholics in Europe; 67% of the
population adheres to this faith (Cenzus, 2021). Pilgrimage sites are visited mainly during religious
holidays, important anniversaries and during the Marian months of May and October.
History and tradition of pilgrimage sites in Slovakia
As in all Christian tradition, the origins of pilgrimage sites in Slovakia were usually motivated by
unexplained, nature-defying events, about which various legends and stories were told (first
orally, then in writing). From a later period we find official records of these events in some cases
in chronicles or even notarial records. Thanksgiving tablets (so-called votive tablets) at places of
pilgrimage are also widespread in our country. These inexplicable events were most often
associated with water (springs or wells), with the discovery of paintings, statuettes and other
religious artefacts, with apparitions, especially of the Virgin Mary, with the places of the lives of
saints and with sacred buildings. In this way, respect for these unusual places, which became
sacred to the inhabitants and became a destination for many people from near and far, was
traditionally cultivated and fostered.