The experience of oneself in a sacred place is something you will never forget!
As specialists in three of the best destinations for religious tourism, Prime Emotions has the know-how and tools to make your experience as rewarding as it is unique.
Portugal is home to numerous religious sites, many of which constitute important pilgrimage destinations in the Christian faith. Every Portuguese city has a place for prayer and reflection, all equally special and inspiring.
- The Shrine of Our Lady Fátima is arguably the most significant Christian site in Portugal, with around four million people visiting every year. It is one of the most notable shrines to Mary in the world, built following reports of apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1917.
There are countless other unique Christian sites in Portugal, and we can only point some of them, such as:
- Abadia de Alcobaça - built by the first king of Portugal
- Braga, the winner of European Best Destination 2021, is known both as the city of the Archbishops and ‘Portuguese Rome’, famous for its religious festivals and events and home to Portugal’s first-ever cathedral
- Convento de Cristo, Tomar - Former seat of the Order of the Knights Templar, this is a city of great charm for its artistic and cultural wealth, whose greatest expression is in the Convent of Christ
- Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, Lamego - which dominates the city at the top of an imposing staircase (700 spets), is one of the most famous places of Marian cult during its great pilgrimage
- Convento de Mafra - The sheer magnificence of the monumental architectural design of the palace, convent and basilica of Mafra bears witness to the opulence of the court of king João V
- Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, one of the most impressive monuments in the capital, classified as World Heritage and whose church is dedicated to Santa Maria de Belém
- Mosteiro da Batalha, which commemorates victory in a battle for independence from Portugal
- Catedral de Évora - The largest medieval cathedral in Portugal. In the central nave you can see the altar of Our Lady of the Angel (locally known as Nossa Senhora do Ó)
- Igreja de Santa Luzia, Viana do Castelo and its unique beauty.
In Spain, Santiago de Compostela (UNESCO World Heritage) is the international famous destination for religious tourism in Spain. According to the Conferencia Episcopal, the country has about 12,300 shrines and chapels of which 4,300 are dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Apart from The Ruta Mariana, or ‘Marian Route’, we can highlight only a few:
- The Ruta Teresiana (or the Teresian Route) takes you to the sites that were significant in the life of Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross. This route is not just a spiritual journey to a real destination, it is also an opportunity to discover another world through the culture, nature, and folklore of the places you pass through along the way
- Monastery of Santa Maria la Real, Najera - this beautiful monastery was founded in 1052 by king Don García Sánchez III, after he found a mysterious image of the Virgin Mary in a nearby cave
- Leon’s Cathedral famous for its unique stained glass windows in Spain
- San Lorenzo de El Escorial (Unesco) is famous for its beautiful El Escorial Monastery. The building is the most important architectural monument of the Spanish Renaissance
- Pamplona, famous for its San Fermin Festival and its cathedral, where the kings of Navarre were crowned
- La Clerecia, in Salamanca, a church and college of the Jesuit Order, constructed in the seventeenth century
- La Iglesia de San Marcos, in Salamanca, constructed in the Romanesque style, contains breathtaking paintings that portray many scenes of Our Lady's life
- In Loyola, you will see the 17th-century Basilica dedicated to St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuit Order
- Cathedral of Santa Eulalia - Barcelona's main cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona and a lavish showcase of Gothic architecture - its high ceilings and gargoyles are truly breathtaking.
Near the Pyrenees Mountains, in France, Lourdes is surrounded by magnificent natural beauty.
In 1858 the Virgin Mary appeared to 14-year old peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous (latter Saint Bernardett) and supposedly healed her with the local miraculous waters. Christian pilgrims now visit and pray in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes and worship at the grotto where the vision is said to have taken place.
Lourdes is the most visited Christian shrine in the world, with an estimated 200 million pilgrims since 1860.
- Don’t miss the evening Torchlight Procession. The Marian Procession is the most popular celebration in Lourdes. Pilgrims come with their banners and sick pilgrims are always anxious to attend when they can. You can carry a candle with its paper wind protector on which the traditional Ave Maria of Lourdes is printed recalling the story of the Apparitions
From the nearby Pic du Jer you will enjoy the most breath-taking panoramic views of Lourdes valley and the mountains.
Whether you want to focus on a particular pilgrimage site or travel across various locations, we will make sure your experience is both uplifting and inspiring.
Depending on your interest and time, Prime Emotions DMC will tailor your tour package around the desired pilgrimage.
Ask our Travel Consultants for their opinion!
THE PATH OF FAITH
