Church of the Pilgrimage of Csíksomlyó

The pilgrimage church was built by the Franciscan order at the end of the 15th century in Gothic style, and underwent significant transformations during the Baroque period. The richly decorated interior features the Statue of Our Lady of Csíksomlyó, a 16th-century devotional statue that is one of the largest wooden Madonna sculptures in the world. For centuries, the statue has been a pilgrimage destination for Hungarian believers from Székely Land and the Carpathian Basin.

The church is closely associated with the annual Pentecost Pilgrimage of Csíksomlyó, one of the largest Christian walking pilgrimages in the world. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims set out to strengthen their faith, national unity, and community solidarity through shared prayer, song, and presence. The outdoor masses held at the Triple Hill Altar behind the church offer a profound spiritual experience.

The pilgrimage site remains an active, vibrant community space, welcoming believers, visitors, tourists, and those with a general interest. Visitors are encouraged to approach the site with respect and sustainability during pilgrimages and church tours. The surroundings of the church are well-preserved, with pedestrian and public transport prioritised, and hospitality increasingly supports local, small-scale, community-based values.

The Church of the Pilgrimage of Csíksomlyó is not merely a religious monument but also a symbol of spiritual tourism, community identity, and sustainable value preservation. Visiting it is not just about discovering a historical site but also about the opportunity for a deeper connection: between people and faith, community and landscape, past and present.