Church of St. Marija on Vurberk

The Parish of Vurberk is located roughly halfway between Maribor and Ptuj. It stretches along the left bank of the Drava River, across the hilly slopes of the Slovenske gorice, which here descend into the Drava plain. The parish includes the villages of Vurberk, Krčevina pri Vurberku, Grajenščak, and Gomila. With around 1,100 inhabitants, it is one of the smaller parishes in the Maribor Diocese. Although it has no distinct central settlement, the Church of the Devica Marija Vnebovzeta situated just below the ruins of Vurberk Castle at the western edge of the parish, is the most important site. Today, the parish belongs to the Maribor deanery. Just as the landscape of the parish is varied, so too is its history—especially the history of its sanctuary. The church’s story is closely intertwined with that of Vurberk Castle and the noble families who owned it over the centuries: the Stubenbergs, the Wechslers, the Gallensteins, the Attems family, and finally the Herbersteins.

Until 1785, when Vurberk became an independent parish, the church served as a place of worship for the local counts and all who were connected to the castle. The first church is mentioned as early as 1336, while the second, dedicated to St. Miklavž, the patron saint of rafters, was recorded in 1510. During the turbulent times of the Turkish incursions and the Reformation, this church suffered many brutal attacks—including the destruction of a statue of Mary from the 1420s. What the Turks did not destroy, the Protestants completed. Nevertheless, the church survived until the 18th century. Due to the needs of pilgrims and the growing community, the present church was built between 1773 and 1776 according to the plans of Janez Fuchs of Maribor. It was consecrated in honor of the Devica Marija Vnebovzeta. Notable sculptural works in the interior were created in the workshops of the Mersij and Holzinger families. The central pilgrimage celebration has traditionally been, and still remains, 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption.