paulínsky kláštor Pauline monastery

Marianka is a unique religious monument in the Bratislava region, which consists of the Gothic church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, monastery of paulins, Baroque chapels and statues. It is located in the village Marianka, where a statuette of the Virgin Mary, carved from pear wood, appeared in the 11th century. Officially, the place was founded by King Louis I. The Great in 1377, when he confirmed his cult significance and laid the foundation for the construction of the church and monastery. Since the end of the 14th century there is a Gothic church, which has undergone Baroque reconstruction in the 17th century and reconstruction in the 19th century. Today the church is a basilica minor and is managed by the Congregation of the Brothers of the Comforters of Gethseman.

The creation of Marianka is connected with the legend about the statuette of the Virgin Mary carved from pear wood, which appeared in the surrounding forests in the 11th century. The place gained official status in 1377 when King Louis I. He published a donation that confirmed his ancientity and laid the foundations of the church and monastery. Since the end of the 14th century there is a Gothic church, which was built in 1380. In the 16th century it became an important place of pilgrimage and the seat of the general director of the Order of St. Paul the First Pilgrimage. He liked to work here until Joseph II was abolished in 1786.

The architecture of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is the result of several building stages. The original Gothic church from the 14th century was not preserved in its original form because it underwent a Baroque reconstruction between 1717 and 1735. At this time some Gothic windows were walled, on the north and south side of the church were built Baroque chapels of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Joachim, St. Paul the hermit and St. Theresa of Avil. The main altar was replaced by a monumental baroque altar made of dark mortar wood, which was consecrated in 1694. Today, the church is restored and its interior contains stucco decorations, paintings and stains from the 17th and 19th centuries.

In the past, the church and monastery in Marianka were administered by various religious orders. From the 14th century there were hermits from the Order of St. Paul the First Pilgrim, who cared for pilgrims and managed the monastery. In the 17th century Marianka became the seat of the General Superior Order, which strengthened its importance. In 1786 he liked to die by decree of Joseph II, which abolished all contemplative reholes. Since 2011 the church is a basilica minor and is administered by the Congregation of the Brothers of the Comfort of Gethseman.

There are some interesting historical objects in the church. For example, the epitaph of Andrej Báthory, Mr. Devín Castle, who died in 1566 and was buried in the church crypt. His epitaph was walled in 1567 at the back entrance. Under the choir there are two Gothic tombstones walled: one Mrs Kunigunde Tovačovská from Cimburk and the other John from Scharpenec. The church also went through two fires in the 19th century (1817 and 1820), which required extensive reconstruction work.

Today the area in Marianka is managed by the Congregation of Brothers of the Comfort of Gethseman and is open to visitors. The church is famous for its rich history, architecture and artworks. The area consists of five objects: the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the monastery of paulins, the Baroque chapel of St. Anna, the statue of St. Paul Pustovník and the statue of St. John Nepomucký. A visit to Marianka offers the opportunity to know the rich history of Slovak religious culture and works of art from different times.

Marianka is an important pilgrimage site consisting of a church, a monastery and Baroque chapels. Its history stretches from the 11th century when the statuette of the Virgin Mary appeared here to the present, when the church is a basilica minor. Visiting the site offers the opportunity to know the rich history, architecture and art works that have been preserved here. Because of its historical importance and cultural value, it is worth visiting anyone interested in Slovak culture and religious history.