The miraculous statue of the Mother of God, to which this beautiful parish church is dedicated, has been worshiped since ancient times, as evidenced by written documents and oral tradition, which made this church a well-known place of prayer even before the one in Marija Bistrica. In the beginning, a wooden chapel stood there, so the parishioners intended to demolish it and build a new one, which was built in 1668.
Thanks to numerous votive gifts, the church was expanded in 1768, and as the church of St. George in Stari Čič was already neglected, the Vukovina church, although it was regional at the time, soon became the home of all parish functions and was named a parish church in 1799. The church was painted by Marco Antonini in 1893. With the care of all pastors, the church has been properly maintained throughout the decades, and this has continued to this day thanks to the long-term pastor, Rev. Đura Sabolek, and the parishioners, who continuously took care of the maintenance of the church, and just in 2023, they renovated the facade of the parish church, which is still a favorite the place of worship of numerous pilgrims, especially on the feast of the Assumption, August 15.
Historian Emilija Laszowski wrote that the Turkish flag was kept in the Vukovina church. It is a banner that was stolen from the Turks after Petar Zrinski defeated Alipaša Čengić near Otočac. After that victory, they confiscated 800 Turkish horses and 15 flags, and one of them burned the Vukovina church. “I guess some hero interceded with Mother of God Vukovinska. It’s a pity that these precious flags disappeared over time,” wrote Laszowski.
Location
Virtual walk
