The Marian Route And Its Five Sanctuaries

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Have you heard about the Marian Route or Ruta Mariana in Spain? If not yet, let’s find out together in this post!

What is the Marian Route or Ruta Mariana?

The Marian Route (Ruta Mariana in Spanish), is a pilgrimage route in Spain that follows the footsteps of the Virgin Mary by visiting five Marian sites in three different countries: Spain, France, and Andorra. Each sanctuary has its own unique beauty, artistic, and monumental treasures which makes this Marian route famous among believers and heritage lovers.

The route takes pilgrims through some of the most beautiful and culturally rich areas of Spain, and along the way, they can enjoy stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and amazing architecture – a journey that can be both spiritually and culturally rewarding, and one that is sure to be remembered for years to come.

What Are The Five Sanctuaries of The Marian Route or Ruta Mariana?

The five sanctuaries of the Marian Route or Ruta Mariana are:

1. Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain

The Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar (Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar) in Zaragoza, Spain is one of the most important Marian shrines in the country and starting point of the Marian Route.

According to tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the Apostle James (who is believed to have brought Christianity to Spain) in 40AD through bilocation to comfort the apostle of his disappointment about the failure of his mission in spreading the Gospel. The blessed Virgin appeared to him while he was praying near the river Ebro and gave him a column or pillar as a sign of her arrival and commanded him to build a church in her honor.

The first chapel was constructed a year after her apparition and was considered the very first church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The present Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar was built in the 16th century and is considered a masterpiece of baroque architecture.

The main attraction of the cathedral is an image of the Virgin Mary which is believed to have miraculous powers and is said to be the source of countless miracles. Another attraction worth mentioning inside the Cathedral-Basilica is the kneeling point or “humilladero“. It is located behind the Holy Chapel where a hole is exposing a piece of the column that was given by the Blessed Virgin to St. James. The pilgrims kneel there to kiss the exposed part of the column.

2. Torreciudad Sanctuary in Huesca, Spain

The Sanctuary of Torreciudad (also known as The Shrine of the Families) is located in Huesca, Spain, and is one of the most important Marian shrines in the country.

It is part of the Marian Route and is known for its impressive architecture, beautiful gardens, and spectacular view that overlooks the Pyrenees Mountains.

The image of Our Lady of Torreciudad is a Romanesque elm wood carving statue that was enthroned in 1084 in the original hermitage chapel next to the Cinca River. The image of the Virgin of Torreciudad has been the object of devotion since the 11th century. Pilgrims from both neighboring and far places, come to the sanctuary to offer their gratitude, joys, sorrows, and petitions to the Our Lady of Torreciudad.

In fact, the parents of St. Josemaria Escriva (born in 1902), the founder of Opus Dei, prayed to the Blessed Virgin for the recovery of their then 2-year-old son. A few months later, their son was miraculously healed and they brought their son on a pilgrimage to the hermitage chapel of Torreciudad as an act of thanksgiving.

He, later on, became a priest and he got the idea of building a new sanctuary for Our Lady of Torreciudad. The construction was started in 1970 and it came to completion after 5 years.

3. Santa Maria de Montserrat Sanctuary in Catalonia, Spain

The Santa Maria de Montserrat Sanctuary in Catalonia, Spain is an important stop on the Marian Route. This ancient sanctuary is renowned for its stunning views of the Catalan landscape and its iconic Benedictine abbey, which is perched atop the Montserrat mountain. The mountain itself is considered to be a spiritual symbol in the region, with its jagged peaks and sweeping vistas.

This famous Marian destination in Catalonia is not only a sanctuary but also a monastery and a mountain.

The sanctuary is home to the famous 12th-century Romanesque sculpture of the Virgin of Montserrat, which is known as the “Black Madonna” or “La Moreneta” in Spanish. This iconic statue is venerated by millions of people who visit the monastery each year to pay homage to the Virgin.

Montserrat sanctuary is also known for its renowned choir, the Escolania de Montserrat, which is one of the oldest boys’ choirs in Europe. The choir has been performing for centuries and is one of the main attractions of the monastery.

In addition to its spiritual and cultural significance, the sanctuary is also known for its natural beauty. It is surrounded by lush forests, craggy cliffs, and breathtaking views, making it a breathtaking place to visit.

4. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Meritxell in Andorra

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Meritxell is a pilgrimage site located in Andorra, a small nation located between France and Spain. The Sanctuary is one of the most important Marian shrines in the world and is part of the Marian Route.

According to the legend (that has been passed on from parents to children from generation to generation), the inhabitants of Meritxell were about to attend Mass at Canillo (a neighboring town).

As the people were walking on a Sunday that coincided with Epiphany (3 Kings), they saw a flowering wild rose bush which is very unlikely in the winter season. They got curious, so they got closer to look at the flowers, only to find between the branches an image of Our Lady with the Child Jesus in her arms.

They told the parish priest about the incident, and with his guidance, they moved the image of the Lady to the church in Canillo. The next morning, the image had disappeared from the church and was found once again under the wild rose.

The entire village went to see the miracle. Despite the fact that the day was snowing hard, no snow has fallen on the flowering wild rose which was sheltering the Virgin. They then realized that the Lady wished to remain at the exact spot, so they built a chapel right in the area where the sanctuary of Our Lady of Meritxell stands today. 

The Sanctuary is home to a magnificent Romanesque church, which houses the ancient statue of the Virgin Mary and Child. The church is also surrounded by beautiful gardens and is a popular spot for taking in the stunning views of the Pyrenees Mountains.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Meritxell is also known for its annual religious festival. During the festival, pilgrims come to the Sanctuary to pay homage to the Virgin Mary and to seek her blessings. The festival is held on December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, as a celebration in honor of Our Lady of Meritxell – the patroness of Andorra, as declared officially by the Holy See in 1914.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Meritxell is an important stop on the Marian Route and is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the beauty and spirituality of Andorra.

5. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is one of the most important Marian shrines in the world and is part of the Marian Route. Located in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains in the south of France, the Sanctuary is a place of pilgrimage for millions of people each year.

The origins of the Sanctuary date back to February 1858, when a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous had a vision of the Virgin Mary in a cave near the town of Lourdes. Over the course of the next few months, Bernadette had a total of eighteen visions of the Virgin Mary, during which she was given instructions to build a shrine in her honor.

Since then, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes has become one of the most important places of pilgrimage in the world. Millions of people come each year to pay homage to the Virgin Mary and to seek her blessings.

The Sanctuary is home to a magnificent basilica and a grotto where Bernadette had her visions. It is also home to a beautiful sanctuary garden and is surrounded by stunning views of the Pyrenees mountains.

The Marian Route or Ruta Mariana Pilgrims’s Passport

Just like the famous Camino de Santiago, the Marian Route also has a pilgrim’s passport.

My family has already visited all five shrines of the Marian Route, but we don’t have a pilgrim’s passport because I only learned about it and the Marian Route while searching for more readings about Our Lady of Meritxell (the last shrine of the Marian Route we visited) before our family trip.

The passport is officially named “The Passport of the Pilgrimage”, a simple souvenir of the pilgrim’s passage to the Marian Route. Inquire at the Information Office to get the passport in any of the five sanctuaries and you can get it stamped as you visit each sanctuary.

According to the RutaMariana website, the passport is only available from April to October in Meritxell, while getting stamped can be done all year round. And the passport costs only 1 euro, as a donation.

My family is hoping and praying that my Mom (in the Philippines) will finally be granted a visa to visit us, so, we can do the Marian Route once again with her. A Marian Route passport will surely be an added bonus.

Marian Route or Ruta Marian FAQs

Final Thoughts on The Marian Route or Ruta Mariana

The Marian Route or Ruta Mariana is a beautiful journey that allows pilgrims to experience the power and majesty of the Virgin Mary in a truly unique and profound way. It is a spiritual pilgrimage that can help pilgrims draw closer to the Virgin Mary and gain a greater understanding of her life and teachings.

The shrines along the route are awe-inspiring and bring pilgrims closer to the divine presence of Our Lady. Taking the Marian Route is an incredible experience that will leave pilgrims feeling blessed and humbled by the power and beauty of the Virgin Mary. As pilgrims journey through the Marian Route, they can reflect on the words of the Virgin Mary: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

Are you interested in doing the Marian Route or have you already visited any of the shrines on the route? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience, and feel free to share them in the comments below.

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