Ste Anne des Lacs, Religious shrine in Lake Wales, Florida.
Ste Anne des Lacs is a stone shrine near a lake surrounded by trails that wind through oak woodlands and feature walls and steps. French sculptures and religious structures form the core of this outdoor sacred space set within natural surroundings.
French-speaking Catholics established this shrine in 1920 and constructed a white chapel with sculptures by French artist Francis Marsollier. The site became a pilgrimage destination after a recovery story drew wider attention to the place.
The shrine draws visitors who come to pray and spend time among the stone structures and sculptures scattered across the grounds. The gathering place has served communities seeking spiritual connection through both devotion and outdoor contemplation.
The site has trails and steps that are generally easy to navigate and lead through the natural landscape. Visitors should wear proper footwear since the paths and stairs can become slippery, especially after rain.
A child with tuberculosis reportedly recovered after visiting the lake, which sparked the first formal pilgrimage in 1928. This healing story became the reason many people came to seek hope at this location.
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