Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin on Marianska hora in Levoca is one of the oldest places of pilgrimage in eastern Slovakia. The pilgrimage takes place here every year on July 2. The chapel was an expression of gratitude of Spis residents for their rescue during the Tartar invasion in the years 1241 - 1242.

The first chapel which was later gave to repair by Levoca parish priest Henrich was built in 1247 there. Marian Feast of the Visitation is associated with the arrival of the Franciscans - Minorits to Levoča in 1311. In 1470 Servác pastor had the chapel Gothic church to rebuild, and there was installed Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary. The last reconstruction of the church took place in the years 1906-1914. The new church was consecrated by Bishop John Vojtaššák on July 2, 1922.

From the pilgrimage site for believers Latin and Greek rite from the eastern and central Slovakia has gradually become a nationwide pilgrimage. Pope John Paul II promoted the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary on January 26, 1984 to a smaller basilica. Eleven years later, July 3, 1995 was held here in his presence, by far the largest pilgrimage, which was attended by over 650,000 people.