Vepric Shrine

In 1908 the bishop of Makarska, Juraj Caric, established a shrine in a small wooded valley outside the town at a spot with a natural cave and a spring, chosen for its resemblance to the grotto at Lourdes, and built an altar in the cave itself. It grew into a complex with an outdoor church, stations of the cross up the slope, confessionals and a large open space for pilgrims, all under pine with the sea below. It is one of the more visited Marian shrines in Croatia, with the largest gathering on 8 September for the Nativity of the Virgin. Outside pilgrimage days the valley is quiet and open to anyone walking through.

What you actually see

• A cave altar - the shrine's original point, established in 1908.
• Chosen to resemble Lourdes - the grotto and spring that suggested it.
• Stations of the cross up the slope - through pine woods.
• The main pilgrimage on 8 September - the Nativity of the Virgin.

When to go

Year round; 8 September for the largest gathering. Two hours.

Honest expectations

This is a religious site and quiet behaviour is expected, particularly during services. Pilgrimage days are extremely crowded and parking on the coast road becomes impossible. There is little to see architecturally.

Nearby

Makarska is south; the Biokovo ridge rises directly behind.