Places to visit

Memorial to the Martyrs in Černová

The Memorial to the Martyrs in Černová reminds us of the tragic events that took place in Černová on October 27, in 1907.

It is situated in Ružomberok’s town district Černová, approximately 4 km away from the centre of the town, at a local cemetery. It lies on a slight rise, east of the centre of Černová.

The memorial contains the names of 15 victims of the massacre that took place here.

Right next to the cemetery, there is a Church of the Virgin Mary of Rosary. The events known as “Tragedy in Černová” took place during its consecration in 1907. The people of Černová wanted the church to be consecrated by their local native, Andrej Hlinka, but that was not allowed. People tried to stand up against the arrival of another priest – dean Martin Pazúrik, who had been chosen by Alexander Párvy, the Spiš bishop, to consecrate the church. When the people of the village saw the approaching horses and carriages with clergymen and policemen sitting in them, the people rebelled and riots broke out. When people blocked the road and surrounded the carriages in an attempt to stop them, the head of the policemen ordered to fire into the crowd. 15 people were shot and many more were injured. Killed by the gunfire were 11 men and 4 women. The youngest victims were two girls, only fifteen years old. The Hungarian authorities then sentenced 40 more people collectively to 37 years in prison and to different penalties and confiscation of property. Many important figures abroad protested against this massacre, such as Norwegian writer Bjornstjerne Björnson, British publicist and historian Robert William Seton – Watson and Russian writer and philosopher Lev Nikolajevič Tolstoj. After that, the church was not consecrated until 1910.

The memorial was inaugurated in 1932 with the participation of Andrej Hlinka, Milan Hodža and the representatives of the Slovak League of American Slovaks, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the massacre.

The day of the Tragedy in Černová is also an official day of remembrance.