Shrine Of Our Lady Of Aparecida In Honor To The Blessed Virgin Mary – Day Trip
Description
Don’t miss the chance to explore the largest Catholic temple in Brazil and the largest cathedral in the world, the Cathedral Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida. Millions of pilgrims from all parts of Brazil visit the shrine every year to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and admire the monumental temple. The shrine is located in the countryside about 3:00 h from the city of Rio de Janeiro accessible by car. In order to welcome approximately 12 million pilgrims every year, the Sanctuary provides its devotees with an area of more than 1.3 million square meters, with about 143 thousand square meters of built-up area filled with a myriad of attractions. The main reason for the visits are religious. Accompanied by a guide, visit the National Shrine, pass by the image of Our Lady Aparecida and exchange glances with her, participate in a Holy Mass, make requests, thank graces received, pay promises, appreciate craftsmanship, majestic forms and stained-glass windows.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Following pick-up at your hotel in Rio de Janeiro, we drive for 3 hours to the Shrine, located in the city of Aparecida in the state of São Paulo.
The temple, the largest in the country, houses the 36 cm image of Our Lady of Aparecida. The sanctuary is the largest in the world dedicated to Mather Mary. 12 million pilgrims pass through yearly, making it the main pilgrimage point in Brazil. In addition to the image, the basilica has the chapel of the candles, where the devotees pray. Each weekend, up to 10 tons of paraffin are taken off from the place. In the Hall of Promises are thousands of objects and photographs of devotees who reported miracles.
Footbridge of Faith The structure is 392 meters long and reaches a height of 35 meters at its highest point, connects the National Sanctuary of Aparecida to the Old Basilica. The footbridge is a traditional pilgrimage spot for pilgrims who many cross on their knees to pay promises made to Our Lady of Aparecida. The footbridge also offers a panoramic view of the largest Catholic temple in Brazil.
Old Basilica Known as Old Basilica, the church is in the downtown area of the city of Aparecida and used to be a meeting point for pilgrims before the construction of the National Sanctuary. The two churches are connected today by the footbridge of faith. With works started in 1845 and completed in 1888, the church received the title of Basilica of Aparecida from the Vatican in 1908. In 1982, it was listed as a monument of historical, religious and architectural interest.
The cable car connects the National Sanctuary to Hill of the Santo Cruzeiro. On average about 2 thousand visitors per day rides on the cars. The section covered by the cable car is approximately 1,170 meters long and 115 meter high passing over a major highway nearby.
Hill of the Santo Cruzeiro is accessible by cable car. Devotees also climb the Morro do Cruzeiro in procession to remember the Way of the Cross. Along the way it has 14 stations that recall the last steps of Jesus Christ to the Calvary. The hill is 900 meters long and 83 meters high.
After having such a spiritual day, we journey back to Rio where the tour started. We’ll engage in a conversation about your interests and our expertise, whether that can be religion, or cultural history of the area.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
PICK-UP INFORMATION: • Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best pick-up point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Rio de Janeiro limits. • We DO NOT do pick-ups in the countryside or far from the city of Rio. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS: • Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best drop-off point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Rio de Janeiro limits. • We DO NOT do drop-offs in the countryside or too far from the city of Rio. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - AIRPORT / PORT ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS: • Once you have arrived at the airport or seaport there will be a member of our staff waiting for you at the arrivals area holding a clear sign with your name on it, they will then escort you to your waiting private transfer vehicle. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HOTEL PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS: • As soon as the tour guide arrives at your hotel, they get the front desk to call you in the room in case you are not at the lobby.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(6)
Oh how I loved being in the Basilica! The sunny day helped make everything more beautiful! It's a very special place. For those who are sensitive like me, you'll feel a very high vibration, you'll sneeze often. Beautiful place, grandiose, clean, extremely organized, a place of peace. We return home with renewed energy!
Muito obrigada pela linda avaliação, Michelle! 😊 Ficamos muito felizes em saber que sua visita à Basílica foi tão especial e que o ambiente te proporcionou uma experiência de paz e renovação. ✨💫 O dia ensolarado realmente fez toda a diferença! Esperamos te ver novamente em outras experiências inesquecíveis! 🌿🙏
We had a great time and enough time to visit the shrine, hear mass and do some shopping The tour guides were informative and attentive. Everyone in my group enjoyed it.
It was a walk I got excited about. The sanctuary, the chapel of candles, the nose of the cruzeiro... everything was very intense. The guide Felipe was excellent, patient and very respectful to everyone in the group
Even those who are not so religious feel something different. The place has a strong energy. Marcelo was super respectful, showed everything with affection and even gave good tips to eat and buy souvenirs
The place is giant and full of cute details. I really liked walking the catwalk of faith and light a candle. Our guide Mariana was super friendly and knew all about the story of the virgin. a day that marks me very
Muchas gracias por compartir tu experiencia tan especial! 🙏✨ Qué lindo saber que el paseo a Aparecida te marcó de una manera tan positiva 💙⛪ La guía Mariana estará feliz de recibir tu reconocimiento. Será un placer recibirte nuevamente en otros momentos únicos 🌟
It was surreal the day in appeared... the basilica is giant and has a very good vibe. the guide Rafael was too fine people, explained everything with calm and respect. the part of the candles was where I was most excited.
Que lindo relato! 🙌 Um dia especial em Aparecida, com a imponência da basílica e a vibe única do lugar. Rafael guiou com calma e respeito, e o momento das velas trouxe ainda mais emoção. ✨
