Slovakia has centuries-old tradition of pilgrimages, mainly to the places of adoration of the Virgin Mary .In present slovak pilgrimage sites are visited mostly by local believers. These places offer the chance for the inspiration for pilgrimages with viewing of cultural and natural attractions. The most important route, which runs across the Slovakia is Marian Pilgrimage Route along the international long distance hiking trail I23 from Czenstohcova through the Krakow to Levoča, continues trough the Low Tatras, High Fatra, White and Small Carpathians to Bratislava.( in Austria the route leads to Vienna and from there it follows the traditional Route of the Via Sacra onwards the Lower Austrian pre-Alps to Maria Zell.
Selection of Slovak national pilgrimage sites:
Šaštín – National sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows
Levoča – Chucrh of the Virgin Mary, statue of the Virgin Mary with opened arms
Marianka – the oldest pilgrimage site in Slovakia with gothic church of Virgin Mary and her statue holding the infant Jesus
Staré Hory – Church of the Virgin Mary, Gosthic statue holding the infant Jesus
Nitra – Church of the Assumption of Mary located on the Mount of Calvary, Gothic statue of Our Lady of the Sorrows
Ľutina – Greek-Catholic site of pilgrimage
Báč – Franciscan Church and Mnastery, merciful image of the Virgin Mary belongs to the Weeping icons
Banská Bystrica – Baroque Calvary with stations of Our Lady of Sorrows