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!
May, the month of the Rosary, is the perfect time to discover Loreto in the Marche region—a town where the tradition of rosary craftsmanship blends with history, art, and the vibrant presence of pilgrims. A stroll through the narrow streets and watching the artisans at work demonstrates how the tiny beads have become a symbol of culture, memory, and local identity.
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We are joining the certification process of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes for 2026–2027, strengthening our international cooperation and jointly promoting Europe’s spiritual heritage. This is an important step in the further development of our initiative and in building a stronger presence on the European map of cultural and tourism cooperation.
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The first celebration of Polish-French Friendship Day, joint celebrations in Częstochowa and Lourdes, and over 35 years of partnership – this is the story of a relationship that today also develops within the Shrines of Europe network, connecting cities and people across Europe.
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In the heart of Switzerland lies Einsiedeln, famous for its impressive Benedictine Abbey. But Einsiedeln is not just a spiritual haven – it’s a place where tradition meets modernity, offering something for everyone. One such experience is Urban Golf, a completely new, urban take on the classic game of golf.
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Visiting places is more than just walking down main boulevards and seeing the top monuments. Getting to know a city begins where mass tourism ends – where we can feel its rhythm and character with all our senses. Les Halles, the traditional market in Lourdes, is exactly such a place: where conversations with locals, beautiful scents, and regional flavors mingle, and tradition intertwines with the craft of local producers.
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As every year, the first months were a time of intensive meetings and promotional activities for Shrines of Europe. The season began with participation in the International Workshops on Religious Tourism (IWRT) in Fatima, followed by a presence at the Better Travel Lisbon tourism fair in the Portuguese capital. It was a demanding but very inspiring start to the year – especially for our Portuguese partners.
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Take a panoramic tour through the Shrines of Europe cities
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