Basilica Lichen Stary, Poland
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lichen is a Roman Catholic Church located in a village called Stary Lichen, near Konin the capital of the province Greater Poland. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lichen is devoted to the Virgin Mary who according to the legend 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 legends and the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. In 1852 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. During the World War II the church was turned into a seat of the Youth Nazi Organization but the portrait of the Virgin Mary was removed and hidden.
The present Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lichen was constructed between 1994 and 2004 and presents the largest church in Poland. The Sanctuary was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1999 and is visited by numerous pilgrims every year. By some estimations the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lichen is visited even by one Million pilgrims by year.
