The village of Brezje is arguably the most renowned pilgrimage destination in Slovenia and is known for its Basilica of Mary Help of Christians which attracts numerous visitors. The glory of Brezje began in the nineteenth century, following several miraculous healings that took place at the painting of Mary Help of Christians. In 1988, the Church of Mary Help of Christians was elevated to the status of basilica by Pope John Paul II. In 2000, the basilica was proclaimed a Slovene national sanctuary. This is a place of peace, love and hope. Some wittily call it Slovenia’s main spiritual health resort.
The basilica is managed by the Franciscans, who built a monastery next to the church. They run a modern Pilgrimage Office next to the car park, where you can obtain information on the sanctuary and pilgrimage routes. Adjacent to the basilica, in the building that once served as the monastery’s barn, the Franciscans opened the Canticle of the Sun Museum. In the park in front of the church there is a sculpture of the Holy Family and a huge cross.
The Virgin Mary is the protector of the Slovenian nation, and Brezje is the country’s national sanctuary which has been attracting pilgrims since 1863. (photo: Janez Kotar / slovenia.info)
The area in front of the basilica is designed according to the plans of Joze Plecnik, a great architect and designer of the 20th century. (photo: Miran Kambic/ slovenia.info)
The facade is adorned with mosaic symbols, inscriptions, rosettes and other decorative artistic features. (photo: Miran Kambic / slovenia.info)
In the park in front of a basilica, there is a statue of the holy family and a monument to Pope John Paul II, who declared St. Vitus’s church a basilica in 1988. (photo: Brezje archive)
The beautiful interior of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Brezje. (photo: Johann Jaritz / CC BY-SA 3.0)
The famous merciful painting of Mary Help of Christians by Leopold Layer. (photo: Janez Kotar / slovenia.info)
Next to the basilica is a Franciscan monastery, built in 1898 in which the modern Nativity Museum was opened in 2017. (photo: Mirko Kunsic / slovenia.info)
The national shrine of Slovenians in the winter. (photo: Janez Kotar / slovenia.info)
Location:
Address: Brezje 72, 4243 Brezje, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 46.32894, 14.23251
GPS coordinates: 46° 19′ 44.2164” N 14° 13′ 57.0684” E
Traditional region: Upper Carniola (Slovene: Gorenjska)
Municipality: Radovljica
Directions from Apartments Fine Stay to Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Brezje (drive 15 km, 14 minutes)
Directions from Apartments Fine Stay Bled to Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Brezje (drive 12 km, 12 minutes)
