Lourdes, France

Situated on top of the rock above the Grotto and behind the Basilica of the Rosary, this was the first basilica to be built in Lourdes. It was constructed between 1866 and 1872.

The lower of the two main basilicas at Lourdes, the Basilica of the Rosary was completed in 1901. Inside, mosaic panels illustrate each of the 15 mysteries.

The house of Bernadette Soubirous and her parents is a now a museum, which includes a mill, a kitchen, Bernadette's bedroom and family photographs.

The Soubirous family stayed in this squalid room from winter 1857 to autumn 1858. It was from here that Bernadette went to the Grotto to meet the Virgin Mary on 18 occasions.

This museum displays exhibits on the miracles of Lourdes, the nature of miracles, and the investigations of miracles carried out by the Catholic Church.

Dedicated to the Sacred Heart (Sacre-Coeur), the parish church of Lourdes was begun in 1875 after the old Parish Church of St. Peter was destroyed. Inside is the font where Bernadette was baptized.

This large open area in front of the two basilicas of Lourdes is used regularly for processions.

This underground concrete basilica was consecrated on March 25, 1958 by Cardinal Roncalli (who later became Pope John XXIII) to celebrate the centenary of the apparitions at Lourdes.