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High summer. And if it's summer, there are outdoor events. Summer festivals have become a must-see during every vacation. The emotions after the festival in Portugal have not yet subsided, and we are already inviting you to another unique event. The Frytka Off festival will take place on July 27 in Częstochowa.

The second edition of the Shrines of Europe festival, which took place from June 19 to 23 in Ourem in Portugal, is already behind us. These few days were a real celebration of music, singing and dancing and the traditions of the Shrines of Europe, as well as a time of many wonderful conversations and discussions. See our report from this unique event.

Feirourém is an outdoor event held every year in Ourem. What distinguishes it from other events of its type is the fact that it brings together top artists, the best craftsmen, restaurateurs and exhibitors from Portugal and other countries in one place. This year Shrines of Europe will have the opportunity to be part of this wonderful unique summer festival.

Pic du Jer is said to offer the best view of Lourdes. But how to get there? The most persistent ones enter on foot. In this case, you must definitely wear comfortable shoes. However, there is another way - you can go to the top by funicular. This unique means of transport is over 100 years old and works flawlessly, bringing joy to subsequent generations of residents and tourists! Ready for a ride?

Altötting is preparing something really special for all fans of good fun, both older and younger! The traditional Hofdult festival will start there on May 24. Concerts, performances, an amusement park and feasting over a typical Bavarian golden beverage are the must-sees of this popular festival, which has been held here for over 625 years and always attracts crowds of people who come to Altötting in search of... good fun!

This year, a unique Europe Day celebration took place in Lourdes, organized by the City of Lourdes and the Blue Star Association. A large group from Częstochowa took part in this great celebration of Europe. There were concerts, meetings with authors, discussion panels and film screenings. See our report from this event.

On May 13, the Catholic Church around the world celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, established in 2002. Every year, the event gathers crowds of pilgrims from all over the world who come to Fatima to pray in front of the statue of Our Lady, who appeared to three children in 1917.

Did you know that our photography exhibition "Shrines of Europe - the path of culture and spirituality" has reached Switzerland? It is currently presented in the monastery in Einsiedeln, which is a unique and worth seeing place where faith, history and culture mingle with the traditional Benedictine monastic life. Let's get to know them together!

We offer you our new series, the first part of which is now available on the "Shrines of Europe" Facebook profile. "7 out of 7" is a search for places and attractions that can be seen in each of our 7 cities. Despite different languages, traditions and histories, we have a lot in common. We will be happy to show it to you.

It’s Easter which means a time for joy, spending with family and friends. In this unique time of year we wish you hope and beauty of springtime that gives the promise of brighter days. Let this Easter bring a basketful of joy for all of you! Happy Easter from the Shrines of Europe

Did you know that when traveling to Ourem you can also visit Jurassic Park? Don't worry - the visit will not be as dangerous as those in the film series! In the park "Natural Monument In the Footsteps of Dinosaurs" in Ourém (Pegadas de Dinossáurios da Serra de Aire) you will see up close the prints of dinosaurs from 175 million years ago!

In recent days, young people from Lourdes and Altötting - participants of the project "Citizens of Europe today and tomorrow" - visited Częstochowa. This was the next phase of the project that, initiated by Lourdes, was continued first in Altötting and now in Częstochowa. Once again, young people met to talk about their most important issues, i.e. the climate crisis, new technologies and European identity.

February is ending really well for Shrines of Europe! On February 22-23, 2024, the city of Ourem/Fatima (Portugal) hosted the 20th International Congress on Religious and Sustainable Tourism, which took place in parallel with the 11th International Workshop on Religious Tourism (IWRT). We were also present there as a group and presented ourselves at our Shrines of Europe stand.

Valentine's Day is approaching. This is a special day of the year when we exchange small gifts, cards with hearts, order flowers and spend time together with our other halves. It is a holiday that some people love and others hate. For both, we have several attractions to see in the unique cities of Shrines of Europe. You can visit these places by yourself or with your loved ones.

The greatest treasure of the Jasna Góra Sanctuary in Częstochowa is the Miraculous Image of Our Lady thanks to which Jasna Góra became one of the largest Marian sanctuaries in Poland already in the 15th century. This painting is one of the most famous images of Our Lady in the world, clearly associated with Poland and Częstochowa.

"Que soy era Immaculada councepciou" - "I am the Immaculate Conception" - these words were spoken by Our Lady in Lourdes to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, changing the history of a small town at the foot of the Pyrenees and making it one of the most important pilgrimage centers in the Catholic world. Currently, approximately 5 million pilgrims come here every year to ask Mary for healing of their soul and body.

Traditionally, Christmas is a time when churches and many homes host nativity scenes depicting the Holy Family just after the birth of Baby Jesus. We especially invite you to Loreto, Italy, to see beautiful detailed scenes depicting the Nativity of the Lord.

The Shrines of Europe wish you all the best during this special holiday season. May the upcoming Christmas holidays be full of warmth and joy and may they bring you moments of respite from everyday problems and worries. May the new year 2024 be full of interesting challenges, bring only successes and be a time of unforgettable trips and journeys. Merry Christmas and happy new year!

Every year Shrines of Europe emphasize the uniqueness of the holiday season. Christmas fairs are organized and interesting cultural and entertainment events are presented for residents, pilgrims and tourists in all the sanctuary towns. Today we want to tell you about some of them. Because it's always worth being with Shrines of Europe, but especially now - during this special Christmas time.

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".

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.