Marian Shrines

This vast, domed basilica stands over the former home of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. It was here that Ignatius — recovering from a battle wound — read the lives of Christ and the saints and began his conversion.

The capital's central plaza joins the Royal Palace with the Almudena Cathedral — named for Our Lady of Almudena, patroness of Madrid, whose 16th-century statue was hidden in the city's medieval walls during the Moorish occupation and rediscovered after the Christian reconquest. The Royal Basilica of San Francisco el Grande holds works by Goya and Zurbarán and one of the largest domes in Christendom. Nearby, the small Iglesia de San Pedro el Viejo preserves a 14th-century Mudéjar bell tower, and the Almudena crypt houses the city's oldest Marian image. A full day in Catholic Madrid walks the visitor through 700 years of Spanish devotion — royal, civic, and quietly persistent through centuries of upheaval.

A fantastic basilica that pierces the skyline of Barcelona, La Sagrada Família is the most famous unfinished church in the world. The famous Spanish artist and devout Catholic Antoni Gaudí created the blueprints that have been followed since construction began in 1886, and it is not expected to be finished until at least 2026.

Built under the supervision of St. John Bosco and his Salesian order, this minor basilica was constructed on the mountainous outskirts of Barcelona in 1886. The statue of Jesus that rests atop the structure makes it an iconic addition to the Catalonian landscape.

Although the parish has been known since the late 900s, the current church was erected in the early 1300s. Due to wars throughout the centuries, Santa Maria del Mar is one of the only existing Catalan Gothic structures. Many saints have frequented Mass here — most notably, Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

Completed in 1448, this Gothic cathedral is dedicated to St. Eulalia and is known for its rooftop gargoyles. St. Eulalia, the patroness of Barcelona, was martyred in what is now the public square in front of the church. Her body is entombed within and venerated today. Visitors can also climb to the rooftop for views of the city from all four sides.

The nearly mile-long boulevard that stretches through the heart of the city’s activity. Most traffic is on foot, with outdoor markets, restaurants, shops, museums, and street performers.

The Dominican convent where the School of Salamanca took form — the 16th-century Catholic theological movement of Francisco de Vitoria, Domingo de Soto, and Melchor Cano, whose Thomist scholarship laid the foundations of international law and the modern understanding of human rights. Christopher Columbus presented his proposal to sail west to the Dominican theologians here. The convent's elaborately carved Plateresque façade and high altar by José de Churriguera remain among the masterpieces of Spanish Catholic architecture.

The Old Cathedral, founded in the 12th century by Bishop Jerome of Périgord, is dedicated to Our Lady and houses the venerated Romanesque statue of the Virgin of the Vega — patroness of Salamanca — in the elaborate Gothic altarpiece behind the high altar. As medieval devotion to her grew, the church was outgrown; the Catedral Nueva was added beside it between 1513 and 1733, joining the two churches into one continuous house of Marian worship that has stood for nearly nine hundred years.

In 1588, St. John of the Cross founded this convent, thanks to the generosity of a local woman whose donation allowed the structure to be repaired and made habitable. St. John himself labored on the convent and church but never saw its completion before his death. His remains rest in the Chapel of St. John of the Cross.

This 16th-century church was constructed in the Gothic style and stands in the main square of Segovia. Within you can experience breathtaking architecture, beautiful chapel museums, and stunning works of art.

Emerging from a crag of rock is the castle-like Segovia Fortress. This ship-shaped structure has served many purposes through its 900 years — royal palace, state prison, Royal Artillery College, and military academy.

Thought to have been constructed in the first century, this pristine Roman aqueduct once carried water throughout the city, towering 94 feet above the streets and appearing on the city’s crest.

This vast cathedral was constructed in the 13th century in the very distinctive French Gothic style. In 1984 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the only Spanish cathedral with this title.

The Oviedo Cathedral dates back to the 8th century and is known for its Holy Chamber. In this chamber many holy artifacts are safely stored — most famously the Holy Shroud, believed to be the head covering of Christ after his crucifixion and burial.

This convent was founded by St. Teresa of Ávila, nun and Doctor of the Catholic Church. She died here while on a visit; today you can find her incorrupt arm and heart inside for veneration.