Vepric, Marian shrine near Makarska, Croatia.
Vepric is a Marian shrine set in wooded hills near Makarska, on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. It includes a rock grotto, a chapel, an outdoor altar, and a network of forest paths that connect the different prayer stations across the hillside.
The shrine was founded in 1908, directly inspired by the pilgrimage site of Lourdes in France. The natural rocky setting was chosen because it resembled the grotto that had made Lourdes famous.
Vepric is modeled after the shrine of Lourdes, and its grotto draws pilgrims who come to pray in front of the rock face. Open-air masses are held regularly at the outdoor altar, where people gather on the stone steps facing the forest.
The site is open throughout the year and can be visited on foot along the forest paths at your own pace. The terrain slopes upward and some sections are uneven, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
Although Vepric sits close to the Adriatic coast, the shrine is surrounded by dense forest that makes it feel far removed from the sea. Visitors walking the paths can pass through natural rock passages formed by the hillside geology, which became part of the sacred route by design.
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