Kevelaer

Over one million Marian devotees, mostly from Germany and the Netherlands, visit the Basilica of Kevelaer every year to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary.

According to tradition, a merchant named Hendrik Busman, in the days before Christmas, 1641, three times heard a voice saying "Here thou shalt build me a chapel".

The Gnadenkapelle (English: Chapel of Mercy) has drawn pilgrims to the Lower Rhine Region from all over the world for more than 360 years.

[3] Pope Leo XIII issued a Pontifical decree of coronation towards the venerated Marian image on 20 July 1890.

Pope Pius XI issued a Pontifical decree In Civitate Appellata which raised her shrine to the status of Minor Basilica on 23 April 1923, signed and notarized by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Gasparri.

Netherlands Krefeld Borken (district) Viersen (district) Wesel (district) Bedburg-Hau Emmerich am Rhein Geldern Goch Issum Kalkar Kerken Kevelaer Kleve Kranenburg Rees Rheurdt Straelen Uedem Wachtendonk Weeze
Our Lady of Kevelaer wearing her marked golden Pontifical crown from 1 June 1892.
Coat of Arms of Kleve district
Coat of Arms of Kleve district