The Church of Holy Mother of God on Brinjeva gora

Fee:

Visiting the church is free of charge.

Working hours:

The visit to the church can be previously arranged at the LTO Rogla – Zreče, GIZ TIC Zreče, Cesta na Roglo 13b in Zreče.

T: +386 (0) 3 759 04 70

E: info@rogla-zrece.si

The Slovenians do not have only one Višarje. Namely, on the ridge of the ancient Brinjeva gora above Zreče, the youngest one in the crown of three churches is located, called "Little Višarje". This is the Church of Holy Mother of God. Until World War II. it kept attracting many pilgrims. On special occasions pilgrim gatherings continue even today.

A presbytery was built in 1769, and in 1830 a nave with the main altar and baroque statues. Even before that a chapel stood in this place.

On the ridge of Brinjeva gora, apart from the Church of Holy Mother there are two more churches:

• The Church of St. Agnes and
• The Church of St. Martin.

5 astonishing facts:

• The Carthusians (Žiče Charterhouse) are most likely responsible for the Church of God, since they were devoted worshipers of Mary.
• In the church the attention is attracted by the statues of livestock and human limbs. The pilgrims requesting health, take these statues into their hands and in then place them on the Mary's altar.
• The Church of Holy Mother of God used to boast with 3 bell towers, but they were destroyed by the Germans during the World War II.
• In 1950 it was given a new bronze bell, and a small bell from the Church of St. Agnes was also placed in the bell tower. This was previously hidden from the Nazis by the organist Vladimir Mohorič.
• Every year in July, prisoners from Dachau, Ravensbrück and Auschwitz and the exiles from the Nazi period come here to thank Mary for her protection.
• Brinjeva gora has been an unusual place for millennia. Once upon a time there was an ancient route here that led the two brothers, Saints Cyril and Methodius to Rome.