Kostol Narodenia Panny Márie v Malej Vieske

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Malá Vieska, today part of the municipality of Družstevná pri Hornáde, has a rich history dating back to the 15th century. The original church was built in 1433. In the 16th century it came under Protestant control, who used it until 1698, and at the beginning of the 18th century, specifically between 1707 and 1714, the church once again fell into Protestant hands.

In 1733 the church was renovated by the city of Košice. Its importance increased when a copy of the miraculous Pócs icon was brought to the church in 1773. This event attracted great attention from believers, and the church became a pilgrimage site for Greek Catholics and later also Roman Catholics. Since the old church was not large enough to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims, especially during the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the city of Košice decided to build a new church.

In 1803, a new church in late Baroque style was built on an elevated site near the forest. This church became an important pilgrimage destination. On 29 October 1831, Pope Gregory XVI granted plenary indulgences to pilgrims visiting the church during the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, which further strengthened the spiritual significance of the site.

Information taken from:
www.keturist.sk