Prešov, Slovakia

photo: Justin Ferko

the Black Madonna of Loreto, copy

18th century rendition of the Black Madonna of Loreto, in the Greek Catholic Cathedral St. John the Baptist, Hlavná 2871, 080 01 Prešov, Slovakia

The oldest parts of this beautiful cathedral stem from the 14th century, but the church underwent a major remodel during the baroque time of the 18th century and it looks like that’s when this breath taking “copy” of the Black Madonna of Loreto was also installed.

Judging by the ex-voti and thanksgiving plaques she is surrounded by, she must be quite a miracle worker. photo: Justin Ferko

 The most extensive English website about the cathedral and the Greek Catholic Church worldwide mentions the Madonna, but not that she is Black. A bit strange. How Black must a Madonna be, before her skin color gets noticed and addressed?! Sad that too many still cannot celebrate the Blackness of their Dark Mother!.

Thank you Justin Ferko for your superb photos and for pointing this Black Madonna out to me!