Aparecida
Brazil · São Paulo · 523 m
Description
Aparecida sits in the Paraíba Valley of São Paulo state and is the religious heart of Brazil. Its Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida is the largest Marian shrine in the world and the second largest Catholic church anywhere, built to hold the crowds that come for the small dark statue found by fishermen in the Paraíba do Sul river. Pilgrims cross the covered footbridge from the old basilica, many of them on their knees, and fill the Room of Miracles with photographs and offerings. A cable car climbs to Morro do Cruzeiro for a view over the whole sanctuary.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – September
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida
- Feast of Our Lady of Aparecida (October)
- Room of Miracles (Sala das Promessas)
- Passarela da Fé
- Old Basilica (Basílica Velha)
- Morro do Cruzeiro cable car
- Sanctuary observation tower
- Museum of Our Lady of Aparecida
- Nativity scene of the sanctuary
- Chapel of the Apparitions
- Religious articles market
- Porto Itaguaçu
- Paraíba do Sul riverside
- Aparecida Sanctuary organ concerts
- Guaratinguetá and Frei Galvão Sanctuary(Day trip)