Information
Landmark: Vepric ShrineCity: Makarska
Country: Croatia
Continent: Europe
Vepric Shrine, Makarska, Croatia, Europe
Overview
Vepric Shrine, just outside the seaside town of Makarska, Croatia, stands as a well-known Catholic pilgrimage site where visitors often pause in the shade of pine trees before entering.Tucked at the base of Biokovo Mountain, the shrine honors the Virgin Mary and is known to many as the “Croatian Lourdes.” Visitors come for the crisp mountain air, the quiet paths, and the deep sense of spiritual devotion that lingers there.Pilgrims and visitors come to the shrine seeking not just spiritual peace, but also the quiet beauty of the pine-covered hills around it.The Vepric Shrine sits just a few kilometers from Makarska’s center, close enough that you could hear the bustle of the town as you arrive, and easy for both locals and visitors to reach.Tucked into a quiet grove at the base of Biokovo Mountain, it offers a peaceful place to sit, hear the wind in the pines, and reflect in prayer.The shrine stands near Vepric Cave, a place pilgrims hold dear, where the cool air smells faintly of stone and pine.With its green hillsides and towering peaks, the place feels perfect for anyone craving quiet reflection or a calm escape into nature.History and Origins: In 1908, Fr.Jure Radić, a Croatian priest, founded the shrine after visiting Lourdes, France, where the cool stone grotto and stories of its miracles left a lasting impression on him.Fr.Radić dreamed of building a similar spot for prayer and pilgrimage in Croatia, a place where candles might flicker in the evening hush.They built the shrine to inspire devotion to the Virgin Mary and to give people a quiet place for healing and reflection, much like the serene, candlelit walks pilgrims take at the original Lourdes.Over the years, it’s grown into a cherished destination for Croatian Catholics, drawing pilgrims from all over the country and even farther, some arriving with candles still warm from their hands.At the heart of the Vepric Shrine stands the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, its stone arch and quiet pool modeled after the renowned Lourdes Grotto in France.The grotto is cut deep into the rock, with a quiet garden of ferns and moss curling around it.Inside, visitors kneel to pray, pause in quiet reflection, and join in the soft murmur of ancient rituals.The Chapel of the Virgin Mary sits just beside the grotto, its stone walls cool to the touch, where regular masses and other services fill the air with quiet prayer.Like the grotto, the chapel feels close and quiet, a small haven where candles flicker and prayers settle in the air.Pathways and stone steps wind around the shrine, guiding visitors through the shady woods and opening onto clear views of the hills beyond.Pilgrimage and Spiritual Significance: For many Croatians, the Vepric Shrine has become a cherished destination, drawing those who come to light candles, offer prayers, and seek spiritual healing for deeply personal needs.People know it for its quiet, almost hushed atmosphere that invites prayer and deep reflection.Crowds of pilgrims come to the shrine, asking the Virgin Mary to intercede-often for a sick child or a troubled home.All year, the shrine hosts sacred events and processions, but August 15 stands out-the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a day when candles flicker in every corner and the faithful fill the grounds.Pilgrims come together for Mass, join in winding processions, and lift their voices in prayer, turning it into one of the most lively and cherished days on the Croatian Catholic calendar.The Vepric Shrine sits in a green, quiet hollow, with the rugged slopes of Biokovo Mountain rising behind it.Soft hills roll into the distance, their silence broken only by a drifting birdcall, making this a perfect place to think, hike, or just soak in the beauty around you.Pine trees stand tall around the shrine, with olive groves stretching beyond, their leaves whispering in the breeze and deepening the sense of peace.Many visitors wander the winding paths and climb the stone steps, pausing to take in the sweep of green hills and feel the quiet weight of the place’s spiritual meaning.Not far away, the Vepric Cave adds to the site’s bond with nature, its cool, echoing chamber tucked into the hillside.Visitors flock to this cave to wander its winding passages and take in the sweep of cliffs and emerald trees all around.Pilgrims and other guests can join guided tours that lead them through the shrine and its grounds, past weathered stone walls and quiet garden paths.These tours bring the shrine’s past to life, sharing stories of how it began and why this spot matters-like the legend of a lantern that’s burned here for centuries.Prayers and Masses: The shrine holds regular Masses and prayer services, where visitors might join in hymn-singing or quiet moments of devotion.People gather for special devotions to the Virgin Mary in the cool stone grotto and the quiet little chapel.For many, a trip to the Vepric Shrine offers a chance to pause, whisper a prayer, and let their thoughts drift in stillness beneath the pine trees.Surrounded by quiet hills and the soft rustle of leaves, this serene setting invites visitors to find comfort and deepen their faith.In conclusion, the Vepric Shrine near Makarska holds deep spiritual meaning for Croatia’s Catholics, drawing pilgrims who pause to light candles in the quiet hillside air.Surrounded by quiet trees and steeped in the history of the Lourdes Shrine, it welcomes pilgrims with a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary and offers a calm space for prayer and reflection.The shrine draws people looking for spiritual healing, and it also welcomes visitors who simply want to take in its quiet gardens, soft candlelight, and peaceful, sacred air.Whether you’re seeking quiet reflection or exploring a place steeped in history, the Vepric Shrine belongs on your Makarska itinerary-its stone paths wind through pine-scented air.
