(The Meaning and Manifestations of the Cult of the Virgin Mary in the Nitra Region)

Abstract: The Meaning and Manifestations of the Cult of the Virgin Mary in the Nitra Region. The cult of the Virgin Mary has a long tradition in Slovakia. Historically linked to the earliest Christian communities, it has persisted continuously until the present day. Marian veneration is a defining and integral aspect of the population‘s piety. Religiosity links it to the Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The visual manifestations of the cult of the Virgin Mary can be found in various forms throughout the cultural landscape. These manifestations are both material, such as sacred objects, places of pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin Mary, small sacred architecture, profane objects and coats of arms, and immaterial, such as standardised place names, street names, and organised events. When assessing the significance and manifestations of the cult of the Virgin Mary, we examine the Nitra region in more detail. Our focus is particularly on sacred objects from spatial, religious, chronological, architectural, and landscape perspectives. We also examine the manifestations of the modern sacralisation of the landscape, particularly through elements of small sacred architecture. We evaluate the cult of the Virgin Mary in greater detail through Marian pilgrimage sites and organised pilgrimage events. We trace the presence of the cult of the Virgin Mary in profane objects. Lastly, we highlight the Mariological symbolism in municipal coats of arms and standardised geographical nomenclature.

Author: Oremusová, Daša – Nemčíková, Magdaléna

DOI: 10.17846/CL.2025.18.2.230-242

Publication order reference:
RNDr. Daša Oremusová, PhD.; Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Regional Development, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01 Nitra, Slovakia; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3204-7829, WOS Research ID: AAC-6816-2020, SCOPUS Author ID: 57198780424
RNDr. Magdaléna Nemčíková, PhD.; Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Regional Development, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01 Nitra, Slovakia; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5705-8746, WOS Research ID: AAC-6742-2020, SCOPUS Author ID: 57198779128

Source: Konštantínove listy, 2025, vol.: 18, issue: 2, pages: 230-242 (PDF file)

Keywords: THE CULT OF THE VIRGIN MARY, RELIGIOSITY, CULTURAL LANDSCAPE, CULTURAL HERITAGE, NITRA REGION

Language: SLOVAK

Recommended Citation:
Oremusová, Daša – Nemčíková, Magdaléna. 2025. Význam a prejavy mariánskeho kultu v Nitrianskom kraji (The Meaning and Manifestations of the Cult of the Virgin Mary in the Nitra Region). In Konštantínove listy [Constantine’s Letters] 18/2, 230-242.