Church and monastery of the Apparition of Mary
Church, Strunjan
The Church of the Apparition of Mary stands on a hill above Moon Bay, in the heart of the Strunjan Landscape Park. It is one of the most important pilgrimage churches on the Slovenian coast.
It was built around the year 1200 and initially maintained by Benedictine nuns. According to local tradition, on the night of the Assumption in 1512, the Virgin Mary appeared to two vineyard guards. This event turned Strunjan into a place of pilgrimage.
The apparition was painted around 1520 by Francesco Valerio, and the image still decorates the main altar. The church features a single nave with a flat ceiling and is richly decorated, especially with ten oil paintings by Tomaž Gregorin, made between 1656 and 1671.
Since 1907, the church has been maintained by the Franciscans. They restored the building and painted the ceiling. In 1912, the image of Mary was formally crowned.
Today, the church is a significant cultural heritage site and a popular stop for pilgrims and walkers.
Contact information:
Telephone: 05 678 20 05
E-mail: bojanmiro@yahoo.com
Location:
