-
Photo: Innotime -
Photo: Innotime -
Photo: Innotime -
Photo: Innotime -
Photo: Innotime
The National Shrine of Mátraverebély-Szentkút
Mátraverebély-Szentkút is a place where silence becomes presence, and where water not only quenches thirst, but opens the soul. A pilgrimage site that honours the past, serves the present, and embraces responsibility for the future—a model destination for sustainable, values-driven tourism.
- Parking available
More information
Nestled among the forested hills of the Cserhát, in a picturesque natural setting, lies Mátraverebély-Szentkút, one of Hungary’s most significant pilgrimage sites. Officially recognised as the national shrine of the Hungarian Catholic Church, Szentkút is not only a sacred destination for the faithful, but also a growing attraction for nature lovers and cultural travellers alike.
Origins – A Miracle at the Spring
The shrine's story begins with a miraculous healing: according to tradition, the mute son of a local couple drank from a spring in the valley – and immediately began to speak. This 11th-century miracle sparked a growing pilgrimage movement, followed by numerous reported healings and conversions over the centuries.
A chapel was eventually built around the spring, later joined by a monastery, guesthouses, and various pilgrim facilities. The current Baroque-style church, constructed in the 18th century, stands as a magnificent architectural and spiritual centrepiece.
A Living Spiritual Centre – Cared for by Franciscan Friars
The shrine is actively maintained and animated by Franciscan friars, who provide pastoral care as well as stewardship of the site’s natural and cultural heritage. In addition to daily Masses, confessions, and retreats, the friars also organise community-building and social programmes.
Mátraverebély-Szentkút offers a unique combination of spiritual reflection, cultural exploration, and nature-based recreation. Visitors can enjoy accommodation, pilgrim lodgings, hiking trails, and local food and craft offerings, all with a focus on sustainability and hospitality.
Where Nature and Spirituality Meet
The shrine is located within the Novohrad–Nógrád UNESCO Global Geopark, giving it exceptional geological, ecological, and cultural value. The area features healing springs, hermit dwellings carved into Miocene-era rock, and volcanic formations that provide a distinctive geotourism experience. Visitors can explore thematic walking routes that connect natural heritage with faith-based storytelling—including paths inspired by the legend of Saint Ladislaus.
The Statue of the Virgin Mary – Living Faith and Handcrafted Devotion
At the heart of the shrine's sacred space stands the revered statue of the Virgin Mary, holding the infant Jesus in her arms. Radiating motherly tenderness and protective love, the statue has been the focal point of veneration for centuries.
What makes this statue especially unique is that its garments are changed regularly to reflect the liturgical seasons and major feast days of the Church. This practice is not merely decorative—it expresses a deep spiritual tradition, reinforcing the dignity of worship and the community’s devotion.
The statue’s robes are lovingly sewn by a woman from the nearby village of Ipolytarnóc, who has dedicated herself to this sacred task for many years. Working entirely by hand, she sees this craft as a calling and spiritual service, continuing a rich tradition of local religious folk art. Her work is a touching example of how faith and community engagement remain alive and active at the shrine.
The changing garments of the Virgin Mary serve as visible signs of the Church’s rhythm, offering pilgrims a tangible experience of the liturgical calendar. More than a devotional object, the statue becomes a living symbol of the connection between God and humanity, past and present, the individual and the community.
This beautiful tradition unites local identity, spiritual practice, and artisanal heritage—making the statue not only a sacred image, but also a vibrant expression of sustainable cultural tourism.
Target group
-
Class trips
-
Families with younger children
-
Families with older children
-
Seniors
-
Friends
-
Multigenerational programs
-
Couples
Other services
-
Type of sight
- built heritage, underground sights
-
Recommended
- for newly-weds
- for visitors looking for free activities
- for adventurers
- for children
-
-
for newly-weds
for visitors looking for free activities
for adventurers
for children
-
-
for visitors looking for hidden gems
budget friendly
for couples
for groups
-
How much time does it require?
- 1-2 hours
-
Is it guided?
- can be discovered individually
-
Is it free?
- free
-
Do you have to book in advance?
- can be visited without booking
-
Type of built heritage / underground exhibition space
- religious heritage
Sights, programs
Parking information
- Paid parking available
- Paid bus parking available
- E-bike charging available
- Guarded covered parking
Sustainability steps based on the Good Travel Seal criteria
Food and products
Caring for people
Decent employment
Pollution reduction
Caring for the climate
Waste reduction
Caring for water
Caring for nature
Caring for culture
Management and information