The 6 Most Visited Marian Shrines in the World

Marian shrines are sacred places dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. They commemorate her apparitions or miracles attributed to her intercession, fostering deep Marian devotion.

These shrines serve as significant pilgrimage centers for the faithful. Through them, God reminds us of His presence among us. Visiting them with a spirit of faith and an open heart allows us to hear the Lord’s voice more clearly.

Marian shrines facilitate encounters with the Lord, encouraging the reception of sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist. They are ideal venues for apostolic work and evangelization, attracting visitors driven by curiosity or tourism.

Are you discerning your vocation? Facing a crucial decision? In need of a special grace? Consider visiting a Marian shrine!

This article presents the six most visited Marian shrines worldwide and introduces four lesser-known but equally beautiful ones.

The World’s Most Famous Marian Shrines

1. Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar (Zaragoza, Spain)

The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is recognized as the first Marian shrine in Christianity. It commemorates the earliest recorded apparition of the Blessed Virgin, who appeared to the Apostle James in Zaragoza in 40 AD while she was still living on earth. She requested that he build a church with the altar surrounding the pillar where she stood, promising

that this site would remain there until the end of time:

So that the virtue of God may work wonders through my intercession for those who seek my patronage in their needs.

James, along with his companions who witnessed the miracle, obeyed and constructed a church dedicated to Saint Mary of the Pillar.

Since then, countless faithful have made pilgrimages to this shrine.

• For more information about this Church, visit the website of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar.
• Location: Plaza del Pilar, s/n, Casco Antiguo 50003, Zaragoza, Spain.

2. Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Rome, Italy)

Situated atop the Esquiline Hill, this Marian shrine is one of the four papal basilicas in Rome. Tradition holds that the Blessed Virgin inspired its construction. She appeared in dreams to the patrician John and his wife, promising them a child. They consulted Pope Liberius, who had experienced the same dream.

Upon visiting the Esquiline Hill, they found it covered in snow during summer. The Pope marked the perimeter for the church’s construction with his staff

The basilica houses the revered icon “Salus Populi Romani,” believed to be painted by Saint Luke, and the relic of the Holy Cradle, the manger where Jesus was laid in Bethlehem. Notably, the first Christmas Mass was celebrated here.

• For more information about this Church, visit the website of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
• Location: Pza di Santa Maria Maggiore, 00100 Roma RM, Italy.

3. Pontifical Shrine of the Holy House of Loreto (Loreto, Italy)

By Zorro2212 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22585015

The Pontifical Shrine of the Holy House of Loreto preserves the very house from Nazareth where Mary received the Annunciation and where the Holy Family lived.

How did the house arrive in Italy? Fearing its destruction due to advancing Muslim forces, Christians believed the house miraculously disappeared and reappeared in various locations. Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich recounted visions of angels transporting the house through the skies.

During the Renaissance, a splendid basilica was constructed around the Holy House, designed by Bramante.

• For more information about this Church, visit the website of the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto.
• Location: Piazza della Madonna, 1, 60025 Loreto AN, Italy.

4. Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico City, Mexico)

By Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80020018

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is among the most visited Marian shrines globally. Built at the Virgin’s request to Saint Juan Diego in 1531, it houses the miraculous tilma bearing her image.

The apparitions and veneration of the tilma led to the conversion of 8 million natives. Today, approximately 20 million pilgrims visit the shrine annually.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, declared Empress of the Americas, offers solace to all who seek her:

I will always be there to listen to their weeping, their sorrow, to cleanse and heal all their sufferings, hardships, and pains.

• For more information about this Church, visit the website of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
• Location: Fray Juan de Zumárraga No. 2, Villa Gustavo A. Madero, Gustavo A. Madero, 07050 Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico.

5. Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes (Lourdes, France)

By Père Igor – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22417748

In the humble grotto of Massabielle near Lourdes, the Virgin Mary appeared eighteen times to Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a poor and uneducated young girl, in 1858.

During one apparition, Mary identified herself:

I am the Immaculate Conception.

This affirmed the dogma proclaimed by Pope Pius IX a few years earlier.

A spring of clear water emerged during the apparitions. Since then, millions have journeyed to Lourdes to drink and bathe in this miraculous water, seeking healing and solace.

The testimonies of miraculous healings performed at the shrine are countless.

• For more information about this Church, visit the website of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
• Location: 1 Av. Mgr Théas, 65108 Lourdes, France.

6. Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima (Portugal)

By Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL – Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário – Fátima – Portugal 🇵🇹, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=138223565

The Shrine of Fatima stands in Cova da Iria, where, in 1917, the Blessed Virgin appeared on six times to three humble shepherd children: Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. Amind World War I and a tumultuous Europe, Our Lady pleaded for penance and reparation.

She entrusted the children with secrets concerning humanity’s fate and urged daily Rosary prayers and the world’s consecration to her Immaculate Heart. She warned of sin’s dangers but also promised her maternal protection.

On October 13, 1917, before 70,000 people, the “Miracle of the Sun” occurred, where the sun appeared to dance in the sky, confirming the apparitions’ authenticity.

• For more information about this Church, visit the website of the Shrine of Fatima.
• Location: Cova da Iria, 2495 Fatima, Portugal.

Lesser-Known but Beautiful Marian Shrines

7. Shrine of Our Lady of Zeitoun (Egypt)

At the Coptic Church of St. Mary of Zeitoun, the Blessed Virgin appeared as a white and luminous figure atop the church’s dome between 1968 and 1971.

Tradition holds that this church stands on a site where the Holy Family rested during their exile in Egypt.

The apparition was witnessed by many, including Catholics, Copts, Muslims, and Evangelicals. Both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches recognized it as genuine and of supernatural origin.

• For more information about this Church, visit this website.
• Location: 122 Tomanbay Street, El-Zeitoun, 11321, Cairo, Egypt.

8. Redemptoris Mater Shrine (Akita, Japan)

The Redemptoris Mater Shrine commemorates the Virgin Mary’s apparition to Sister Agnes, a nun of the Handmaids of the Eucharist, in 1975. Our Lady urged daily Rosary prayers and penance for sinners’ conversion, warning about the infiltration of corrupt clergy and religious in the Church.

The shrine is located in the Seitai Hoshikai convent, on the outskirts of Akita city. There, a wooden image is kept that, according to 500 witnesses, sweated blood and cried between 1975 and 1981.

• For more information about this Church, visit the website of the Shrine of Akita.
• Location: Yuzawadai-1 Soegawa, Akita, 010-0822, Japan

9. St. Mary’s Cathedral (Sydney, Australia)

By Sumit Govil – Own work, https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gps-cs-s/AC9h4npDMC_vWjSaBttByrlgT8bua7qs0MG4Gs–APgCwd9VB7F66yQDbDueuB0yFUMMA5BGM9519BrhdVrFKzx5S5uB89dt4Tuor3yci-jixaTn9mbzR65YG729Z0CWPLKesz7bzlkI=s1360-w1360-h1020-rw

St. Mary’s Cathedral serves as the metropolitan cathedral of the Archdiocese of Sydney and is dedicated to Mary, Help of Christians, Australia’s patroness. It’s also the National Catholic Shrine of Australia.

Built on the site of Australia’s first Catholic chapel, its foundation stone was laid in 1821 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie and blessed by Father John Therry, one of the first officially appointed Catholic priests in the colony.

As the colony expanded, the need for a larger and more permanent place of worship also arose.

After a fire, plans for a grand cathedral commenced Designed in the neo-Gothic style by William Wardell at Bishop Polding’s request, its construction spanned 100 years.

• For more information about this Church, visit the website of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney.
• Location: St Marys Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia.

10. Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles of Caacupé (Paraguay)

By Garcia.dennis – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74962229

Our Lady of Caacupé, Paraguay’s patroness, has a devotion dating back to the 16th century. A converted indigenous sculptor encountered hostile mbayá tribesmen. The Virgin appeared, instructing him in Guarani:

“Ka’aguý cupe-pe!”, which means ‘[go] behind the yerba mate bushes!’

He hid behind a thick trunk, praying for deliverance and promising to carve an image from the same tree if saved. He begged the Blessed Virgin to free him from such danger. He promised her that he would carve an image from the same trunk that had hidden him . he mbayás passed by without noticing him. Grateful, he sculpted two statues: a larger one for the Tobatí church and a smaller one for personal devotion.

A miraculous spring emerged at the site, aiding the Guarani during summer heat.

Years later, a devastating flood threatened nearby towns. Franciscan missionaries and locals prayed for the waters to recede. Miraculously, they did, and the Tobatí statue was found floating.

A neighbor, named José and a carpenter by trade, carved a modest hermitage for it, and there it began to receive worship. Later, a small chapel was built. At the end of the 18th century, it was expanded, and in 1945, the construction of the current temple began.

• For more information about this Church, visit the Facebook page of the Basilica Sanctuary of Our Lady of Miracles of Caacupé.
• Location: JV75+HG9, Caacupé 030103, Paraguay.

Remember that, to make the most of your visit to any of these shrines, the best thing you can do is go to Confession, adore the Blessed Sacrament, and take part in the Holy Mass.

You will greatly console the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin. She longs for you to draw near to Jesus and to make firm resolutions to always seek His Most Holy Will. Shrines are ideal places for making important life decisions. Take this opportunity to ask Our Lady for guidance and to receive abundant graces!