The 1608 apparition is officially recognized by the Catholic Church as the first in Europe to occur after the Reformation.
The miraculous painting of the Virgin Mary is one of the most venerated sacred images in Lithuania.
The original church building was spared during the religious turmoil of the 17th century because the local Catholic community hid the miraculous painting.
The Basilica serves as the liturgical heart of the Raseiniai district, drawing thousands of pilgrims annually.
The architecture follows the late-Baroque style, characterized by a dual-towered facade and a symmetrical nave.
The Basilica of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Šiluva is a prominent Roman Catholic pilgrimage site marking the location of one of the first reported Marian apparitions in Europe in 1608. The current late-Baroque structure, designed by architect Simonas Rakauskas, was completed in 1786. It is one of the few places in Lithuania to hold the title of Minor Basilica, granted by Pope Pius XI in 1927. The site houses a miraculous 17th-century painting of the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus, which survived the religious conflicts of the Reformation. The interior features elaborate 18th-century altars and ornate wood carvings. The complex includes the nearby Chapel of the Apparition, which marks the exact site where the Virgin Mary appeared on a stone. Šiluva remains a central destination for the annual September festival celebrating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The view from the main square facing the twin-towered facade of the Basilica.
Visit the Chapel of the Apparition located a short walk from the main Basilica to see the stone where the apparition reportedly occurred.
Plan your visit to coincide with the Šilinės festival in September if you wish to participate in the major pilgrimage processions.
Take time to explore the surrounding museum of religious art located within the parish complex.
Avoid visiting during private prayer services or Mass if you are only there for architectural touring.
The site experiences significantly higher foot traffic and organized events during the first two weeks of September.
Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected; maintain silence inside the Basilica; photography should be discreet and avoid interrupting services.
