The Calvary - Šmarje pri Jelšah
| Region | Savinja Statistical Region |
| Starting point | The town of Šmarje pri Jelšah |
| Route length | 550 m (0.60 miles) |
| route duration | 20-30 min |
| Best time to visit | All year |
| Appropriate for | Baby Carriers , 1-3 years of age , 3-6 years of age , 6+ years of age |
| Level of difficulty | Moderately demanding route |
Route Description
Passion paths, such as Calvary in Šmarje began to emerge during the Counter Reformation and Catholic Restoration and in the 18th century, they were extremely popular, attracting many more people than other pilgrimage sites with longer tradition (Source: rohrman-apart.com website). They each had a different number of stations, all showing similar content: scenes of Jesus' suffering that were often intertwined with scenes from his childhood or from Mary's life.
The Calvary was built gradually between 1743 and 1753. It was constructed by the priest, mathematician and watchmaker Dr. Matej Vrečar on the model of Calvary in Gratz. He first erected six large chapels showing the Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary and Our Lady of Sorrows, and then eight smaller chapels. The bigger chapels including the St. Roch (Sv. Rok) Chapel are richly decorated; some have masterfully carved portals, baroque fronts, roof towers and altars, while the smaller chapels have a more modest design. They are all equipped with sculptural groups, which together with the painted scenes and the stucco background very dramatically and naturalistically represent each individual scene. This made it easier for believers to relive the suffering of Jesus.
Interesting Facts
Legend has it that in 1645 a plague broke out in the nearby town of Ptuj, from where two locals spread it to the town of Šmarje. In a short time, it killed more than two hundred people. To ward off this plague, they built a chapel on the hill above Šmarje. God answered the fervent prayers of repentance offered up by St. Roch (Sv. Rok) and St. Sebastian (Sv. Boštjan), and at the intercession of the Mother of God, the plague was driven out of the land. Apparently, the parishioners donated so much money that they were able to build a magical beautiful church on the site of a previously insignificant chapel and dedicated it to St. Roch as the protector and intercessor against the plague.
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Nearby Restaurants
Gostilna Krpan
A long time ago, many travelers such as the Romans, or later on medieval merchants and travelers stopped in this area to refresh themselves. Even 100 years ago, it was not difficult to get excellent food and drinks near Šmarje pri Jelšah in authentic and homely inns, famous for their skillful cooks and good wine. The locals always knew how to take good care of the hungry and thirsty people; all this led to the establishment of the Gostilna Krpan Restaurant. The menu combines some of the most popular dishes in Slovenia, authentic local cuisine and international culinary successes, all under the leadership of a young and enthusiastic team.
Rogaška cesta 40,
3240 Šmarje pri Jelšah
(03) 817 11 00
Vita, Olja and Juna Recommend
A very special time to visit the Calvary is certainly August 15 and 16, when pilgrims gather en masse in Šmarje pri Jelšah and make pilgrimages on the Way of the Cross.
The MUSEUM OF BAROQUE offers a unique experience.
It is located in the town of Šmarje pri Jelšah and is connected to one of the most beautiful baroque calvaries on Slovenian soil, which was declared one of the seven wonders of Slovenia in 2007. The picturesque wooden statues immerse the visitors into the Baroque period. The children can experience baroque art through various interactive workshops.
The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the public guided tours are given at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Visitors are also accepted outside working hours by prior arrangement.
The Calvary of Šmarje was built by Matej Vrečer. Here you can listen to a story about Calvary
