Places to visit

Church of Virgin Mary of Rosary in Černová

The Roman-Catholic Church of Virgin Mary of Rosary is a dominant element in Černová and a memorial place of the tragic events in Černová from October of 1907.

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

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 the priests who had been chosen by Alexander Párvy, the Spiš bishop, to consecrate the church. Policemen started shooting into the crowd, 15 people were killed and many others were injured. After that, the church was not consecrated until 1910. There is a cemetery near the church, with a Memorial to the Martyrs in Černová commemorating the victims of this massacre.

The church has three bells, which can be accessed by a staircase with 88 steps. The church of Virgin Mary of Rosary is decorated with wall paintings made by academic painter Jozef Hanula, which are among his most beautiful works. 

At the main altar, you can see the statue of the patron saint of the church, Virgin Mary, holding baby Jesus in her arms. By the sides of the main scene, there are statues of St. Pope Clement and St. Wendelin. The two side altars depict the Sacred Heart of Jesus with apostles Peter and Paul and apostle St. Andrew with preachers St. Cyril and St. Methodius. There are stained-glass windows portraying saints, in their bottom section you can notice Andrej Hlinka, among others. There are frescoes on the walls, also portraying saints.