Pilgrimage Sites in Brazil
Discover 3 sacred destinations in Brazil
Aparecida is the spiritual heart of Brazil. Its national shrine to Our Lady Aparecida is the second-largest Catholic church in the world and the most visited Marian sanctuary in the Americas. Pilgrims reach it on foot along the 400 km Caminho da Fé through São Paulo state, or on the national pilgrimage route to the basilica.
The largest Catholic procession in the world takes place at the other end of the country. Each October the Círio de Nazaré draws more than two million people through Belém, at the gateway to the Amazon, to honour Our Lady of Nazareth at her neoclassical basilica. In Minas Gerais, Congonhas holds the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, where Aleijadinho's twelve soapstone prophets stand along the terrace — the summit of Brazilian Baroque sculpture.
Aparecida
Brazil's spiritual heart, home to the National Shrine of Our Lady Aparecida—the world's second-largest Catholic church and the Americas' most visited Marian sanctuary.
Belém
Gateway to the Amazon and host of the Círio de Nazaré—the world's largest Catholic procession, drawing over two million pilgrims each October to honor Our Lady of Nazareth at her neoclassical basilica.
Congonhas
Congonhas holds the UNESCO World Heritage Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, crowned by Aleijadinho's twelve soapstone prophets — pinnacle of Brazilian Baroque art.