Grad, church of the Assumption of Mary

The Church of the Assumption of Mary in Grad – A Pilgrimage Center, Gothic Heritage, and a Masterful Plečnik Intervention

The pilgrimage and parish church of the Assumption of Mary stands in the center of the village of Grad, formerly known as Gornja Lendava, on the western edge of the gently rolling Goričko region. With its elevated position, imposing silhouette, and long historical continuity, it is one of the most significant sacred monuments in Prekmurje. The church is closely connected to the development of the settlement, which held the status of a market town already in the Middle Ages, and for centuries served as the spiritual heart of the wider area.

Historical Beginnings – From the 13th Century to the Gothic Period

The earliest written mention of the church dates back to 1275, placing it among the oldest ecclesiastical buildings in Goričko. The original structure was likely a modest Romanesque church, typical of the early medieval period when the area was under Hungarian ecclesiastical and secular authority.

The present Gothic presbytery, the most valuable preserved part of the church, was built in the 14th century. It is characterized by:

• tall, pointed-arch windows,

• ribbed vaulting,

• massive exterior buttresses,

• and a pronounced verticality typical of High Gothic architecture.

This part of the church reflects the period when Gornja Lendava was an important feudal center, closely connected with the nearby castle complex located only a few hundred meters to the east.

The Church as a Pilgrimage Center

Throughout the centuries, the Church of the Assumption of Mary has been an important pilgrimage destination. Marian devotion was deeply rooted in Goričko, attracting pilgrims from Prekmurje, the Rába Valley (Porabje), and Styria. The church retains its pilgrimage character to this day, especially on the Feast of the Assumption, when large numbers of worshippers gather in Grad.

Architectural Development Through the Centuries

The church underwent several renovations and additions. During the Baroque period, it received new altars and a richer interior, while in the 19th century it was adapted to the needs of the growing parish community. Despite these changes, the Gothic presbytery remained the architectural core of the building, giving the church its historical depth and identity.

Plečnik’s Renovation – A Masterpiece of 20th‑Century Sacred Design

The most significant transformation of the church interior occurred in the 1950s, when it was furnished according to the designs of Jože Plečnik, one of the most important European architects of the 20th century. Plečnik approached the renovation with exceptional sensitivity to space, tradition, and symbolism.

Key Features of Plečnik’s Interior Design

Plečnik’s intervention is recognizable through several distinctive elements:

• Lighting made from ceramic vessels – Plečnik incorporated the local pottery tradition and elevated it into a refined architectural feature. The ceramic lamps emit a warm, gentle light that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the space.

• Pointed arches supporting the nave ceiling – these arches are Plečnik’s reinterpretation of the Gothic idiom, executed in his characteristic, simplified, yet monumental style.

• Specially crafted ceramic ceiling tiles – these tiles represent a synthesis of craftsmanship and architecture, a hallmark of Plečnik’s creative philosophy.

• Simple yet expressive liturgical furnishings – the pews, ambo, altar, and other elements reflect Plečnik’s commitment to purity, symbolism, and respect for tradition.

Plečnik’s work is remarkable because he did not attempt to overshadow the Gothic architecture; instead, he enriched it with new, harmonious layers. The church in Grad stands as one of the finest examples of his post‑war sacred design in the Slovenian countryside.

The Significance of the Church Today

The Church of the Assumption of Mary is today:

• a parish church,

• a pilgrimage destination,

• a cultural monument of national importance,

• and one of Plečnik’s most notable sacred works in rural Slovenia.

It unites three essential layers of Slovenian cultural identity: medieval heritage, local artisanal tradition, and 20th‑century modernist architecture. Together with the nearby castle, it forms an exceptional cultural and historical ensemble that defines the village of Grad and the entire Goričko region.