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!
A winter stay in Mariazell can be enhanced this season with a special attraction – Lichterzauber on the Mariazeller Bürgeralpe, a series of evening light installations set in a particularly scenic mountain landscape. For those who have not yet visited Mariazell in winter, this is the last opportunity to plan such a trip.
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As the Shrines of Europe Association, we always come together in this special time of the year. We warmly invite you to watch and share Christmas wishes from all the cities of the Shrines of Europe, each bringing its unique voice and local tradition into this common message of hope. May this festive season bring peace, hope, and joy to our communities, our pilgrims, and all who seek light on their journey.
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We are delighted to announce that Festival de Setembro 2025 – Immigration, Encounters, Creation, which took place in the medieval quarter of the city – Vila Medieval de Ourém – in September 2025, has been nominated for the Iberian Festival Awards 2026. This prestigious distinction, awarded to the best festivals in Portugal and Spain, marks an important moment both for the event’s organizers and for the city of Ourém itself.
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How is a Christmas bauble made? What is its history in Częstochowa? You can find the answers to these questions at the Częstochowa Museum, which invites everyone to admire “The Bauble History of Częstochowa” – an exhibition showing that Christmas magic contains remarkable local craftsmanship.
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In Mariazell, the Christmas magic begins as early as November. That’s when the Krampus parades take place – the traditional companions of Saint Nicholas, fearsome creatures straight from hell. It’s a true meeting of good and evil, a time of mischief and pranks that take over the town’s streets. Every year the tradition comes to life again, inviting both children and adults to join the fun. And only those who have been really naughty have anything to worry about…
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Altötting has been a magnet for centuries for those seeking peace and spiritual retreat. At its heart lies the Schatzkammer – a treasury where faith emerges, and every detail carries history. It is a space where access is readily available and offers almost immediate access to Europe's spiritual heritage.
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Take a panoramic tour through the Shrines of Europe cities
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