Pilgrimage Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary (Žemaičių Kalvarija)
The pilgrimage basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary ( Lithuanian Žemaičių Kalvarijos Švč. Mergelės Marijos Apsilankymo mažoji bazilika ) is the center of the Catholic pilgrimage site Žemaičių Kalvarija in western Lithuania . The parish church with the title of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary was elevated to a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1988 . It is subordinate to the Diocese of Telšiai . Every year in July, the Great Church Festival of Žemaiči Kalvarija takes place here.
The baroque church is famous above all for the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary . The high altar also contains the largest relic of the Baltic cross . The 20 stations of the cross from 1639 also belong to the church. The place receives around 70,000 visitors annually, most of them as pilgrims during the church festival in July. The meaning of the suffering and death of Jesus is reflected upon. From 2004 to 2006 the process of the coronation of the miraculous image dragged on , which was still started by John Paul II and under Benedict XVI. found its conclusion.
Web links
- piligrimukelias.lt (German)
Coordinates: 56 ° 6 ′ 36.4 ″ N , 22 ° 0 ′ 38.2 ″ E