Marija Bistrica is located 20 kilometers from the Croatian capital, in the historical region called the Croatian Zagorje. Marija Bistrica is famous in the first place as the largest pilgrimage center in Croatia, which is annually visited by hundreds of thousands of people.

Marija Bistrica first mentioned in documents dating from the 1209th year. In 1334, the year recorded the first data about the church of Sts. Peter and Paul. According to legend, during the threat of attack the Turks hid a local priest in 1545 a statue depicting the Virgin Mary with Child. In 1588, the statue found by the bright glow that emanated from it. After that incredible event the statue was seen as miraculous, and Maria Bistrica the pilgrims began to arrive.

In 1710, the Croatian Parliament adopted a decision to allocate funds for the construction of the new altar in the church, which was built in five years. In 1731 the church was expanded and pereosvyatili in honor of the Virgin Mary, and therefore changed the name of the municipality. In 1750 Marija Bistrica by the decision of Pope Benedict XVI had been listed shrines of the Virgin.

Since 1879 to 1882 to build a new church building in the neo-Renaissance style. The restoration project was designed by architect Herman Bolle. The temple was surrounded by arcades, and in 1883 acquired a modern look. In 1923, Pope Pius XI Bistrica Sanctuary was granted the status of "Minor Basilica", and later, in 1935, the image was crowned by the Archbishop of Zagreb. In 1971, the day of July 13 was proclaimed a holiday day of the Mother of God Bistritskoy.

An important event in the modern history of Marija Bistrica is a visit by Pope John Paul II in 1998. 3 October it was held the ceremony of Archbishop Aloysius Stepinac reckoning to the ranks of the blessed.