In 1858, Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in a grotto in Lourdes, in the south of France. Grottos are found in many places in various countries and were built after the apparitions in Lourdes in 1858. Hence the name Lourdes grottos.
Lourdes grottoes are made to give people the Lourdes experience closer to home. Not everyone has the opportunity to visit the original Lourdes grotto in France. A replica grotto then offers the possibility to pray, be still, and connect with Mary in a place that is reminiscent of Lourdes.
Around 1960, interest in Lourdes grottos declined, and this coincided with a drop in church attendance. After the coronavirus pandemic in 2021, visits to Lourdes grottos have been on the rise. Candle sales at the grottos are increasing, and more and more young people are coming to light a candle. Churches are often closed outside of service times, but Lourdes grottos are always open.
In this section, Lourdes grottos and Marian grottos are included, which I have had the pleasure of visiting. In a Lourdes grotto, Our Lady and Bernadette Soubirous are present, while in a Marian grotto, only the Mother of God is depicted. The grottos are listed by country. The authentic grotto is located in Lourdes, France, and is listed under "pilgrimage sites in France".
Jan van Wijk
In the Maria Room, Lourdes grottos are incorporated from:
- Belgium
- Germany
- France
- Croatia
- Luxembourg
- The Netherlands
- Austria
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