History and archaeological significance
The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Socovce has a rich history dating back to the middle of the 13th century. The founding of the church is attributed to Budimir of Diviaki according to a charter from 1258, but experts assume that it may have existed before 1240. The church was one of the most important buildings in the region and, according to E. Mályusz it was perhaps the first Christian church in Turci.
The site where the church is located is of particular historical significance. According to Š. Janšák, the highland fortified settlement of Stráža formed 13 "courtyards", while the church with the cemetery is located on the south-eastern edge of the 11th "courtyard". Archaeological finds, including coins of the Roman emperors Claudius I (41-54), Valerian I (253-260) and Gallienus (253-268), as well as medieval pottery, suggest that the site was inhabited in Roman times and later exploited in the Middle Ages.
Socovce is located in the heart of the Turčianska basin, on the right bank of the river Turiec, only 20 km south of Martin. The church is situated on a plateau on the northern slope of the Stráža hill (543 m above sea level), a plateau (160 hectares) that was once part of a large fortified settlement from the Halsatian and Latin times. Archaeological finds, including Roman coins and medieval pottery, indicate that the area was inhabited during various historical periods.
The village of Socovce was probably founded in the 11th century and its name derives from the name of the original owner of the property - a certain Socu. In the Middle Ages, the settlement was an important point on the link between the trade routes between the Ponitry and the Považie region. Although at the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century Socovce declined in importance as a result of the main roads moving to the more northerly Príbovce, the village played a key role in the history of the region. The oldest documented market place in Turci was even located near the church.
Building development and architecture
The construction of the church was carried out by the stonemason Chtepan, whose sons were rewarded in 1258 in the form of four ashlar ploughs from the land of Sochouch. The church has undergone several structural modifications. The south side aisle was added in the early 16th century, while the south narthex dates from the 18th century. The vaulting of the main nave was completed at the end of the 18th century.
The architecture of the church is impressive. The two-nave building has a polygonal ending of the presbytery, which is decorated with a cross-rib vault. The Prussian vault dominates the main nave, while the sacristy is vaulted with a moulded vault. The façade is reinforced by supporting pillars and on the south side a fragment of a 15th-century fresco depicting St Christopher carrying the infant Jesus is visible.
Interior and art treasures
The main altar of the Virgin Mary is a jewel of late baroque art. It is dominated by a late Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary from around 1500, surrounded by statues of St. Anne and St. Joachim. The altar is decorated with twisted columns and rococo details. In the altar's superstructure you will find an image of St. John of Nepomuk and on the sides statues of St. Horn, the patron saint of shepherds, and St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters.
The wooden organ choir, built into the west side of the nave, adds a unique character to the interior. The preserved Gothic windows in the presbytery and other artistic details make this church an important monument of the Gothic and Baroque periods.
Photo: Mário Veverka, Ján Farský
Text: fine
Source: WeSocovce municipality website, RNDr. Mgr. M. Samuel, PhDr. H. Žažová, PhD. (Results of archaeological and archival research)
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