Origins of the Calvary and the First Pilgrimages
The tradition of pilgrimages in Bobrov boasts a history of over a century. Its origins date back to the late 19th century when, in the early 1890s, Bobrov native and Spiš canon Štefan Koštialik commissioned the construction of the fourteen Stations of the Cross. These lead from the parish church up a nearby hill to the Chapel of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which had stood on this site since 1834. During the construction of the Calvary, the chapel was completely restored, as it had been severely damaged by a devastating storm in 1889.
At the very top of the hill, a monumental cross was added, featuring the corpus of the crucified Christ alongside the figures of the Virgin Mary, Saint John the Apostle, and Mary Magdalene. The complex also includes the Chapel of the Tomb of the Virgin Mary, which is distinguished by its unusual architecture incorporating elements of Oriental sacred buildings.
Solemn Blessing and Papal Privilege
The solemn blessing of the Bobrov Calvary took place on August 15, 1894. On this day, over 20,000 faithful and approximately 50 priests from the wider region gathered in the village—a remarkable number not only for that time but even by today's standards. The festive homily for this occasion was delivered by Dr. Ján Kohút, a professor at the Spiš priestly seminary.
Even before the blessing itself, the founder of the Calvary, Canon Koštialik, requested the respective Roman congregation to grant plenary indulgences for this pilgrimage site. The response was a privilege signed by Pope Leo XIII on July 28, 1893, granting plenary indulgences for a period of seven years to all devout pilgrims. Today, the gaining of indulgences is governed by current Church norms. The faithful can obtain them by fulfilling the usual conditions on the patronal feast day, after Vespers on the preceding day, or on the Sunday when the external celebration is held. Plenary indulgences can also be gained through the communal recitation of the Holy Rosary or during the devotion of the Stations of the Cross.
A Unique Liturgical Tradition
The pilgrimage in Bobrov, celebrated annually on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, features a liturgical rarity that is exceptional in Slovakia. The celebration always lasts for two days and is marked by a rich combination of liturgical rites that have been preserved here for over a century.
Saturday evening begins in the parish church with introductory prayers and the formation of a procession. Local faithful carry Marian banners, images, and, most importantly, a statue of the sleeping Virgin Mary. The procession then departs from the church towards the Bobrov Hill, praying the Stations of the Cross along the way. Upon arriving at the Calvary, the Holy Mass of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary immediately follows. A profound spiritual experience of the entire liturgy is the subsequent procession and the placing of the statue of the Virgin Mary into the tomb in the chapel behind the Calvary.
Night Vigil and the Sunday Culmination of the Pilgrimage
This official part is followed by a rich spiritual program, which provides a space especially for the youth through Marian academies and testimonies. An inseparable part of this night vigil is Eucharistic adoration, sacramental blessing, and the midnight Stations of the Cross.
The Sunday program of the Bobrov pilgrimage continues with additional morning Holy Masses and culminates in a solemn feast-day Mass, which is usually celebrated by one of the Bishops of Spiš or another esteemed invited or delegated guest.
