The Basilica of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Vranov nad Topľou is not very conspicuous from the outside, but boasts beautiful interior decoration in the Baroque style. The church is the most valuable historical monument of the town.
In the 18th century, the town of Vranov was relocated to rare historical icon of the Virgin Mary.
This icon is said to be in the sight of the local parish priest, the superior of the Pauline monastery, his deputy and a large number of people gathered shed tears of blood.
After it was moved to the church (at that time it was in the private possession of a local noble family), the church was renamed the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. News of the miraculous image quickly spread and the church became an important place of pilgrimage, which it still is today.
On 6 September 2008 the Pope elevated the church in Vranov nad Topľou to the status of BASILICS MINOR (smaller basilica).
The Basilica Minor of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is a type in terms of architectural development late Gothic monumental sacral building. Today's uniform Baroque interior decoration dates from the first half of the 18th century. Part of the interior is decorated with frescoes by the important Czech Baroque painter J. L. Kracker.
The altars and the pulpit are decorated with valuable handicraft works from the workshop of Jozef Hartman, a carver from Košice, and are a rare example of Baroque sculpture in eastern Slovakia. The main altar is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In the centre of the altar superstructure there is an image of the Virgin Mary.
An interesting work is Baroque pulpit. The Vranov Basilica also holds a valuable Baroque-Rococo liturgical set, which consists of a monstrance, chalice, ciborium and a pacific cross. These liturgical objects come from the most famous personality of Baroque goldsmithing in Slovakia - Ján Silaši. The liturgical set is a national cultural monument.
The church is adjacent to another listed building - the Pauline monastery. This monastery is of later date, it was built in the 17th century.
Source : www.vranov.sk
Cover photo: Jano Štovka, MQEP
