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!
Young people from Lourdes, Częstochowa and Altötting met in Lourdes, France, during the first European Youth Music Meetings. Organized through the cooperation of cities belonging to the Shrines of Europe network, the event provided an opportunity for making music together, discovering different cultures and building international friendships.
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In Poland, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, commonly known as Corpus Christi, is one of the most important celebrations in the Catholic Church calendar. On this day, thousands of faithful take part in Eucharistic processions through the streets of towns and villages. In Częstochowa, the celebration holds a special significance, bringing together a vibrant religious tradition and the spiritual heritage of Jasna Góra.
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Just a few kilometres from Mariazell, one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage sites, lies a true gem of the Mariazeller Land region — a mountain lake with water so pure that it meets drinking water standards. May is the perfect time to plan a summer holiday in this part of Austria. As temperatures gradually rise, Erlaufsee slowly begins a new season, inviting visitors to swim, walk, and relax surrounded by alpine nature.
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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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Take a panoramic tour through the Shrines of Europe cities
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