Snow White

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF MARY OF THE SNOWS

The Parish of Mary of the Snows is a Roman Catholic territorial parish in Zgornja Velka.

The origin of the church dates back to the time of plague epidemics. At that time, near Trate Castle, on the right bank of the River Mura on Einsiedelberg, a small church called St Mary of the Snows was built in 1689. Hermit monks lived in it. The church was demolished during the era of Josephinism reforms in 1788 and a new church was then built in Zgornja Velka between 1789 and 1791. For its construction, the people of Velka used all the material from the demolished church at Einsiedelberg. All the work was led by Matija Purgaj, the then chaplain at St Mary of the Snows, who also held the first mass in it on 8th December 1789.

The church is single-naved with a square bell tower. Against the eastern facade is a crucifix with the figure of Christ. The interior is vaulted, and there are chapels along the nave. The furnishings of the church are baroque. The main altar and pulpit are the work of Jožef Holzinger, and some sculptures were made by the Radgona sculptor Janez Klein. The church was once a famous pilgrimage site, which is increasingly regaining its prominence today.

It was declared a pilgrimage route in 2009. By the church, a renovated well, on which we can read Tone Kuntner's verses: “You shall not leave hungry, you shall not leave thirsty, wayfarer from Mary of the Snows. Here you shall partake of beauty and peace, and drink truth from a pure spring..”

Contact and further information at snezna.si