Basilica Lichen Stary, Poland

Picture of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lichen, Poland
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lichen also known as Basilica Lichen Stary is a Roman Catholic Church located in a village called Stary Lichen near Konin, the capital of the province Greater Poland. Basilica Lichen Stary is devoted to the Virgin Mary who revealed herself to a Polish soldier and a shepherd in 19th century. The location of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lichen is closely connected with mentioned revelations and the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. The revelations were examined by a special episcopal committee which decided to move the portrait of the Virgin Mary to the parish church in Lichen in 1852.

The church was turned into a seat of the Youth Nazi Organization during the World War II, while the portrait of the Virgin Mary was removed and hidden. The Marianists restored the parish at Lichen after the World War II and the Primate of Poland crowned the miraculous image of Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Poland or Virgin of Lichen in 1967 despite the opposition of the communist authorities.

Today's Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lichen was constructed between 1994 and 2004 and is the largest church in Poland. The Sanctuary was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1999 and is visited by numerous pilgrims every year. According to some estimations about one million people visit the basilica every year.

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