Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, Catholic cathedral in Aparecida, Brazil.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida is a Catholic place of worship in Romanesque Revival style located in the city of the same name in São Paulo state. The facade shows reddish brick and two slender towers, while the interior holds several side chapels, a wide altar area, and galleries on different levels.
Construction began in 1955 as a response to the growing number of pilgrims that the old chapel from the 18th century could no longer hold. The consecration took place in 1980, and a few years later the Vatican granted it the rank of minor basilica.
The name recalls a small figure of Mary that fishermen pulled from the river and that now stands inside for devotion. Families from all over Brazil come here to light candles and leave petitions, while pilgrim groups often wear traditional clothing and sing together.
The complex offers separate entrances for individual visitors and groups, so you can move freely on quieter days. On weekends and holidays the spaces fill quickly, making an early visit advisable.
Below the main hall lies an underground level with confessionals and rooms for quiet prayer that many visitors overlook. This zone offers a calmer environment away from the busier upper areas.
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