Lourdes

Lourdes, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées area in France, is among the world's most important places of Catholic pilgrimage. Each year, Lourdes welcomes nearly 6 million visitors.

The religious significance of Lourdes originated in the events of February 11, 1858, when young Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old girl from a modest family and in poor health, claimed to have seen a “young lady” who appeared to her in Massabielle's grotto, close to the village of Lourdes. According to Bernadette's account, she was the chosen witness of 18 apparitions, during which she was given the task of messenger. Afterward, a water spring was discovered thanks to the “young lady's” indications and was soon credited with having miraculous properties, which has contributed notably to the increase in the thaumaturgic fame ...