Travellers can find themselves overwhelmed by the amount of influential European sacred sites there are to visit. Many of them are still active places of worship. Some are great examples of fantastic architecture. We’ve compiled a list of our favourites to help narrow down the choices for your visit in a hire car.
Sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal Photo by: saiko3p/Fotolia
Sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal
Now a group of Catholic buildings and structures, this site is known for being the location where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three children in 1917.
There are 15 church altars dedicated to the 15 mysteries of the rosary.
The church organ that was equipped in 1952 has over 120,000 pipes.
On the anniversary of the sightings, May 13th and October 13th, pilgrims fill the country road that leads to the shrine. It receives 4 million visits a year.
Find out more about Portugal.
Shrine of Our Lady of Einsiedeln, Switzerland
The first settler of Einsiedeln was Saint Meinrod, a hermit, so the shrine is dedicated to Our Lady of the Hermits.
The site is not part of a diocese and is a major resting point on the Way of St James.
Despite some destruction to the site during the French Revolution, 200,000 pilgrims visit each year. Attractions include the baroque-style abbey church and the Lady Chapel. See the Black Madonna above the chapel’s altar.
The Benedictine Monastery has daily Mass and Liturgy of the Hours which is chanted in Gregorian by monks.
It’s home to the world’s largest nativity scene, the Diorama Bethlehem. It features more than 500 carved wooden figures.
Visit during pilgrim season which runs from Easter to the first Sunday in October.
Find out more about Switzerland.
Altötting, Germany
More than 1 million visitors a year head to what has been known as the spiritual centre of Bavaria for over 1250 years. There are many religious monuments to visit here.
See the Black Madonna in the ‘Lourdes of Germany’ the Shrine of Our Lady of Altötting, also known as the Chapel of Grace. The destination became popular after 1489 when a mother laid the body of her drowned son at foot of the Black Madonna and he recovered. Within a short distance of the Chapel is the Jerusalem Panorama.
Between May and October on Saturday evenings after Vespers, see Altötting’s procession of lights. On Sunday morning, pay a visit to the Basilica of St Anne and attend High Mass.
Find out more about Germany.
Jasna Göra Monastery, Poland
This monastery was established in 1382 and has become the spiritual capital of Poland for much of its population.
It’s home to the icon of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, or Our Lady of Częstochowa. The image is thought to have saved the monastery during a siege in a Swedish 17th century invasion. Many visit the monastery to pay respects to the icon. It’s expected behaviour to drop to your knees to move around it.
This site is thought to be the third-largest Catholic pilgrimage site in the world.
The monastery has several levels, each with delights to discover.
There are five main pilgrimage dates that bring a throng of visitors: The Feast of Mary, Queen of Poland (May 3rd), the Feast of the Assumption (August 15th), the Feast of our Lady of Częstochowa (August 26th), the Feast of the Nativity of Mary (September 8th), and finally the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th).
Find out more about Poland.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, France Photo by: barlest/Fotolia
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, France
It covers 51 hectares and 22 separate places of worship.
It was established following the appearance of the Immaculate Conception to a 14-year-old girl. The statue of The Virgin by Joseph-Hugues Fabisch stands in the niche where she was seen.
350,000 pilgrims a year bathe in the waters at Lourdes as they are said to have healing qualities.
The Torchlight Marian Procession takes place daily; this is a must during your visit. Participants can carry a candle, hear all five decades of the rosary recited, sing the Lourdes Hymn and receive a final blessing.
Find out more about France.
Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Since 1981, ‘Our Lady of Medjugorje’ is said to appear to selected ‘seers’. Since then, it’s reported that 30 million visitors have flocked to what is claimed as Europe’s third most important apparition site.
Now an average of 1 million visitors a year are drawn to the area for the daily messages said to be direct from the Virgin Mary. These however are not officially supported by the Catholic Church.
Visit ‘Apparition Hill’ yourself and see if you experience the unexplained phenomenon of seeing the sun turn different colours or rotate in the sky.
Find out more about Bosnia.
Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy
Saint Francis, the first recorded person to receive stigmata, was a Roman Catholic friar and preacher who was born and died in Assisi. The friary and basilica were built in his honour. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 and is seen as one of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage in Italy.
In 1818, the remains of Saint Francis were rediscovered and a crypt was built for them so people could visit to pay their respects.
Liturgies are held regularly throughout the day so stop for one on your visit.
Find out more about Italy.
Camino de Santiago, Spain
Also known as St James’s Way, this pilgrimage marks the many journeys taken to visit the shrine of the apostle St James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.
In 1987, it was declared the first European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The pilgrimage has been made since the discovery of the remains of St James. Its popularity faltered in line with wars and disease, such as the Black Death. In modern times, numbers taking the pilgrimage have grown, not just with religious users, but spiritual too.
The various routes can take many weeks or even months to complete. Some make their way by traditional donkey or horse, some walk. The Original Way, or the Primitive Way, is the oldest and begins in Oviedo.
If you’re dedicated to making a full pilgrimage, be sure to gain a credencial. This piece of paperwork will allow you cheap or even free overnight accommodation at many hostels lining the pilgrimage routes.
Find out more about Spain.
Hagia Sophia, Turkey
Although no longer active as a place of worship, Hagia Sophia was once important to both Christians and Muslims. Known as The Church of the Holy Wisdom, this former Byzantine church and ottoman mosque is now a museum. In fact, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the subject of protests to re-open as a mosque.
Built in the 4th Century by Constantine the Great, none of its original structure remains. The version you see was built between 532 and 537. Elements of the second version built by Constantine’s son are still visible.
Visit to awe at the many examples of Byzantine architecture, especially the stunning mosaics.
Find out more about Turkey.
Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Italy Photo by: luciano mortula/Fotolia
Saint Peter’s Basilica, Italy
No list of European sacred sites would be complete without a mention of the Vatican.
The most renowned work of Renaissance architecture is said to hold the remains of the apostle Saint Peter under its high altar. Given this, it’s thought to be one of the holiest Catholic shrines.
Construction of the current basilica began in 1506 and was finished in 1626. It’s one of only four Major Basilicas in the world with others also located in Rome.
It holds regular liturgies and, if you’re lucky to catch the Pope presiding at one, you might find yourself part of an 80,000 strong audience! Be prepared for crowds and dress sensibly- no miniskirts, shorts or bare shoulders.
Find out more about Italy.
Celebrating religion at European sacred sites
Whether you’re interested in these sites from a religious perspective or purely to witness some of the fantastic architectural delights on offer, these sites have a lot to offer. Have you visited any of the European sacred sites on our list? Perhaps you’ve visited others that you think should get a mention? Let us know in the comments!
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Written by Jessica Juby.
