Pilgrimage to Croatia

Pilgrims to Medugorje can also pay homage to Croatia's Catholic shrines. For history buffs and religious pilgrims, Croatia offers unique opportunities to journey to holy sites in a land where history and culture blend together in old world harmony.

Northwest of the capital city of Zagreb check out Marija Bistrica, the largest shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Croatia. Veneration of Mary began in the fifteenth century when the black statue of Our Lady became famous for its miraculous healing powers. Among the shrine's highlights include a votive altar which the Croatian Parliament commissioned in 1715. And unique Stations of the Cross are original artistic works by contemporary Croatian sculptors. Following Pope John Paul II's visit in 1998, the shrine has been constantly modernized. Every year up to 500,000 believers gather to participate in approximately fifty regular pilgrimages that take place between Whit Sunday and Thanksgiving Sunday.

Travelling northbound to Ludbreg, a small town in Podravina, pilgrims can visit the Eucharistic shrine of the Precious Blood of Jesus. This shrine was established by a written act of Pope Leo X after a miraculous appearance of the Holy Blood of Jesus at the Batthyany Castle in 1512. Then in 1739, the Croatian Parliament decided to build the votive church of The Precious Blood of Jesus, to honor a vow made in an effort to prevent further deaths resulting from plague in Moslavina and Slavonia. However, construction of this shrine was not realized until 1994. The main pilgrimage to this shrine takes place on the first Sunday in September.

In Rijeka stands the ancient shrine of Our Mother of Grace, Our Lady of Trsat, one of the oldest shrines in the world. According to legend, the House of Our Lady was transferred from Nazareth to Trsat in 1291, where it remained until 1294. Seamen and other pilgrims often arrive at the shrine on Marian feast days.

At the Sinj shrine located in the area of Cetina in the south of Croatia, and Solin, veneration of Our Lady dates back to the sixth century. Pilgrims continue to visit there especially on

the feast day of the Great Lady Mary (Velika Gospa) held on August 15^th. Also, believers travel to the shine of Our Lady of Aljmaš, located where the River Drava flows into the River Danube. Pilgrimages attracting the greatest numbers occur on the occasions of Assumption Day and the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.

Other notable stops for religious pilgrims include the shrine of God's Mother of Vocin; Our Lady of Biskupija, or St. Mary of Croatia; and the national shrine of St. Joseph on Dubovac in Karlovac; and the Trogir Cathedral and the Cathedral and bell tower in Split.