Overview:

: The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, located in Aparecida, Brazil, is the principal Marian shrine of South America and a popular destination for pilgrimage. The shrine was built in the 18th century to house a small statue of Our Lady of Aparecida, which was found by three fishermen in 1717. The statue is believed to have miraculous powers and many miracles have been attributed to her intercession. Today the basilica attracts millions of pilgrims from all over the world each year, and is the site of the largest religious festival in the world. The basilica was declared a National Shrine by Pope Pius XI in 1930 and was elevated to the status of a basilica in 1980. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Brazil
Prominent Features:

• The basilica is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in Brazil and it is dedicated to the venerated image of Our Lady of Aparecida. • The National Shrine was inaugurated in 1980 and it is the third largest Catholic basilica in the world. • It is the most widely loved Marian shrine in Brazil and it is visited by millions of people, both Brazilian and international pilgrims, each year. • The basilica is composed of two grand churches and one chapel, and it features impressive stained glass windows and statues dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. • Additionally, the exterior of the basilica features a fresco mural which chronicles the history of the Marian devotion in Brazil. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Brazil.

History:

Our Lady of Aparecida is a beloved Marian devotion that dates back to the 17th century in Brazil. According to tradition, three poor fishermen – Domingos Garcia, João Alves, and Felipe Pedroso – were fishing on October 12th, 1717 in the Paraiba do Sul river in Aparecida, Brazil, when their nets were snagged. After tugging on it for a while, they finally discovered that the obstruction was a small terra-cotta statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Believing it to be a good omen, the men took the statue home with them, venerating it as they would the real Mary. Although the statue was eventually destroyed in a flood, devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida continued to grow across the entire country and eventually the Catholic Church built a large basilica in her honor in Aparecida in 1955. The construction of the basilica was funded by donations from Brazilian believers and Catholics across the world. It is the largest Marian basilica in the world and a symbol of hope and inspiration for millions of Brazilians. Today, the basilica is an important pilgrimage site for Catholics in Brazil as well as visitors from around the globe. It stands 350 feet tall and is made of gray and white marble, with two 50-foot statues of the Madonna and Child standing at the front. Inside, visitors can observe the relic of the original terra-cotta statue of Our Lady of Aparecida. Moreover, the basilica houses a museum with over seven thousand artifacts related to the history of the Marian devotion. Throughout the year, the basilica hosts mass, devotions, and other liturgical celebrations for believers from all denominations. Today, the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida remains an important destination for pilgrims and tourists alike. Visit one of the famous monuments of Brazil with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The basilica is the largest in Latin America and is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world. 2. The statue of the Virgin stands 12.8 meters tall and weighs over 8 tons. 3. The basilica was built over a period of 34 years from 1945 to 1979 and it cost $11 million to construct. 4. The basilica receives over 8 million pilgrims and visitors each year. 5. The basilica was declared a minor basilica in 1980 by Pope John Paul II, and a National Shrine in 1996 by Pope John Paul II. 6. The basilica houses a small museum with religious artefacts. 7. The shrine hosts various national and international events such as the World Youth Day in 2013. 8. The shrine was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. One of the historical monuments of Brazil, it tells the story of a bygone era