Tie the knot before Mary of Strunjan

A sacred place for as long as 800 years. The miracle of 1512. Mary of Strunjan, protectress of mariners. Let her protect you two against life's storms as well!

Pilgrimage church – church of vows

On a hilltop where Benedictine nuns had a church built as early as the 12th century, two vineyard keepers are said to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1512, at which time the church was named the Church of the Apparition of the Virgin Mary (Santa Maria della Visione). It soon became the most important pilgrimage church in Istria. Its interior is adorned with frescoes by Tomaž Gregolin from Piran. The image of Mary of Strunjan was solemnly crowned there in 1912. Mary of Strunjan is venerated as intercessor and protectress of mariners on their voyages so that they return home safely.

According to a folk legend, Mary of Strunjan's miraculous intervention saved mariners from certain death in a raging storm. By the Strunjan Cross, which is said to have been a navigation landmark for seafarers since the 16th century, traces of stone footmarks and tears cried out by Mary when she saved the mariners can still be seen today.

Wedding ceremonies

Have your wedding ceremony in the church or outdoors, in a special location by the Strunjan Cross. The location's special powers may well protect your marriage from entering "rough and tempestuous seas".