Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida Church

Address: Praça da Basílica, Aparecida, São Paulo, Brazil

Website: https://www.a12.com/santuariodeaparecida

Hours: Daily 6:00am-8:00pm (hours can vary with liturgical calendar)

Admission: Free entry to basilica; special areas or towers may charge a small fee

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida is the national Marian shrine of Brazil, located in the city of Aparecida in São Paulo state. It is a major pilgrimage destination and a focal point for Catholic devotion to Our Lady Aparecida.

The complex includes a very large modern basilica that serves mass and hosts national-level religious events, plus older devotional structures and facilities for pilgrims. The main church was built in the 20th century to accommodate rapidly growing numbers of visitors and to centralise pilgrimage activities.

The shrine’s role as Brazil’s principal Marian sanctuary has made it a centre for national pilgrimage, liturgical celebrations and charitable services connected to the sanctuary. Infrastructure around the basilica includes plazas, chapels and visitor facilities to handle large crowds.

The basilica sits in the city of Aparecida on the Paraíba River in São Paulo state, within driving distance of major cities such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and served by roads and pilgrim transport routes.

• Scale and pilgrimage role: One of the largest Catholic churches in the world, designed to receive tens of thousands of pilgrims and hosting major religious festivals each year.
• Religious significance: Serves as Brazil’s principal Marian shrine, attracting large numbers of national and international pilgrims, especially on feast days of Our Lady Aparecida.

What to See#

• New basilica (main shrine): The modern basilica building, a vast circular-plan church that accommodates large numbers of pilgrims and liturgical events.
• Old basilica and devotional areas: The older shrine and adjacent devotional spaces that predate the modern structure and continue to be visited by pilgrims.

Aparecida is about 168 km north of São Paulo by road. Regular buses run from São Paulo and other regional centers; driving along the Presidente Dutra Highway (BR-116) is the common route. The sanctuary is within walking distance from Aparecida bus terminals.

• Arrive on a weekday early morning to avoid pilgrimage crowds on Sundays and feast days.
• Respect local devotional activities - many pilgrims come for long stays and personal rites.
• Take the elevator to the viewing platform for a panoramic view of the basilica's scale and the adjoining plaza.