THE HOLY MOUNTAINS (SVETE GORE) - MARY’S CHURCH Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Sacral objects

The central church of the Holy Mountains, dedicated to Nativity of Mary was first indirectly mentioned in year 1257. Over the course of next few years, all shrines have been built on the hill. The enlarged church of Mary was sanctified in 1611 by the bishop of Ljubljana, Tomaž Hren. The church was again further extended and enlarged in 1727, when both side naves with galleries were freshly built, the main nave was raised, and an oratory was added to the sacristy. Also, the current empora* was refurbished.

Today, the church measures 31 m in length and 17 m in width. The interior was painted by Tomaž Fantoni between 1868 and 1871. Painted on the vault of the nave are scenes, relating to Mary’s life, the vault of the presbytery is covered by scenes of the Assumption of Mary with scenes of Mary’s litanies on the sides. Depicted on the walls of the side naves are the various scenes of prayers being answered with the help of Mary of the Holy Mountains.

Almost the whole of presbytery is taken up by a giant 3-story altar, dedicated to Mary’s three holidays- birth (September 8th), Annunciation (March 25th) and Assumption (August 15th). Above the tabernacle in the central niche is Mary the Queen standing on the Moon holding a sceptre in her left hand and a child in her right hand. In the second part is the scene of Nativity of Mary. On the far ends of the altar are angel Gabriel and Virgin Mary, illustrating the Annunciation. The upper part of the altar depicts Mary’s coronation in Heaven. All of Mary’s kin are gathered on the altar.

In the nave, there are 6 altars leaned onto the columns. The first on the left is dedicated to St. Anna, the second to St. Florian and the third to Anthony the Hermit. In the set on the right are altars dedicated to St. Mary of the Rosary, to St. Francis Xavier and lastly to St. Isidor. All the altars are from the 3rd quarter of 18th century.

In the nave’s centre is a throne with Mary, holding Jesus in her lap. The statue is very old, but it has been completely remodeled and refurbished. The pilgrims resort to Mary with their problems and intercessions for their loved ones. Left of the throne is a baroque pulpit and on the singing ‘empora’ is a 3-part organ from the 1st half of the 18th century.

Outside, prior to the stairs leading to the bell-tower and the entrance into the church, a statue of Anton Martin Slomšek was put up in 2012, built by a local artist Franci Černelč.

 

Coordinates: 46.044998, 15.661100

 

Additional info:

Holy Mountains (Svete Gore)