About the Church
The Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Aglona stands in the town of Aglona, in the Preīli municipality, Latgale, between the lakes of Cirišas and Egluona. It is the most important Catholic shrine in Latvia and the country's principal site of Marian pilgrimage, holding the title of minor basilica (basilica minor) and regarded as the national shrine of Mary.
The history of the Catholic community in Aglona began in 1699, when Dominicans settled here and founded a monastery; the first wooden church was built as early as the 17th century. The present masonry church was built in 1768–1780 and solemnly consecrated in 1800. In 1980 the church was granted the title of minor basilica.
The Late Baroque basilica is distinguished by two towers roughly 60 metres high, which dominate the landscape around Aglona. The interior of the whitewashed masonry church is rich in 18th-century Rococo decoration – the old organ, pulpit and altars survive.
The basilica's greatest treasure is the miraculous image of Our Lady of Aglona, venerated by thousands of pilgrims. The main parish feast is celebrated on 15 August, on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when the faithful gather in Aglona from across Latvia and neighbouring countries. In September 1993 the shrine was visited by Pope John Paul II, drawing around 300,000 of the faithful.
The history of the Catholic community in Aglona began in 1699, when Dominicans settled here and founded a monastery; the first wooden church was built as early as the 17th century. The present masonry church was built in 1768–1780 and solemnly consecrated in 1800. In 1980 the church was granted the title of minor basilica.
The Late Baroque basilica is distinguished by two towers roughly 60 metres high, which dominate the landscape around Aglona. The interior of the whitewashed masonry church is rich in 18th-century Rococo decoration – the old organ, pulpit and altars survive.
The basilica's greatest treasure is the miraculous image of Our Lady of Aglona, venerated by thousands of pilgrims. The main parish feast is celebrated on 15 August, on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when the faithful gather in Aglona from across Latvia and neighbouring countries. In September 1993 the shrine was visited by Pope John Paul II, drawing around 300,000 of the faithful.