The working group “Shrines of Europe“ was founded in 1996 and is uniting Europe ́s principle Marian pilgrimage sites: Altötting, Czestochowa, Lourdes, Loreto and Fátima. A few years later the Austrian pilgrimage center Mariazell joined the group. The youngest member of the association is Einsiedeln, the most important place of pilgrimage in Veneration of the Virgin Mary in Switzerland (2017). The importance of these great Marian Shrines was emphasized by the visits of the last European Popes John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Being great devotees of Mary they each visited these shrines during their time in office. All these places have one thing in common: they provide spiritual consolation and new strength for living.
On this website you will find information about each of the Shrines of Europe, the important contact details and suggestions for round trips combining the most important places for pilgrims in veneration of the Virgin Mary in Europe.
Experience Europe in the footsteps of the pilgrims!
We are proud to announce that the idea of our cooperation between cities united in the Shrines of Europe association has been noticed and described in the leading Portuguese trade magazine devoted to, among others, travel and lifestyle "Volta ao Mundo".
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A charming town in Bavaria - Altötting welcomes about a million pilgrims every year. The Chapel of Grace located here is Bavaria's national sanctuary dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a place of exceptional historical and religious importance.
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Representatives of the tourism industry will be staying in Rimini from October 11 to 13, taking part in the TTG Travel Experience 2023 fair - the most important event of this type in Italy. Of course, our association - Shrines of Europe - could not be missing among the exhibitors.
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In the previous article, we encouraged you to visit Mariazell this fall. And today we learned that a group of young people from Częstochowa decided to visit this unique place on the map of Austria during their trip to Styria in the last days of September this year. And it was a really great idea!
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Autumn can be really beautiful, turning golden and enchanting with the colors of the leaves. This is the time of year favorable for outdoor activities: walking, hiking and hiking. Maybe it's worth combining physical recreation with soul renewal and going on a pilgrimage! And where? For example, to Mariazell!
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Did you know that according to legend, in the 13th century, the holy house of Mary was moved from Palestine to Italy on angel wings? If this were true, this flight would be the first transport flight in the history of the world! And over what distance - the road from Palestine to Italy is over 2,200 km. But of course, when you are an angel, anything is possible.
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Take a panoramic tour through the Shrines of Europe cities
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