Sanctuary of Yagma
A Marian sanctuary outside Ouagadougou that draws a large annual pilgrimage.
Updated 3 September 2026
The sanctuary at Yagma north of Ouagadougou was built from the 1980s as a Marian pilgrimage site for Burkina Faso, with a large open-air ground, a basilica and a set of stations set out across the hillside, and it draws tens of thousands of pilgrims for the main gathering each year. Outside the pilgrimage it is quiet, and the open ground and the buildings can be walked without ceremony.
Highlights
- The open-air ground - the space laid out for the annual gathering.
- The basilica - the main church on the sanctuary site.
- The stations - the set of markers laid out across the hillside.
- The annual pilgrimage - the gathering that brings tens of thousands.
When to go
The main pilgrimage falls in the dry season and dates are announced locally. November to February is the comfortable period generally. March to May is extremely hot.
Things to know
Outside the pilgrimage there is little to see and half an hour covers it. The site is modern with no historic fabric. During the gathering the roads and the ground are saturated.
Nearby
Ouagadougou is south, and Ziniaré is northeast.
What to pack for Sanctuary of Yagma
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.