It's impossible to overstate the place of Aglona in the hearts of Latvian Catholic life, and Eastern European Catholic life in general. And it is a historical and cultural site significant to all Latvians. Annually, tens of thousands — at times over a hundred thousand — trek by foot from all over the country, and abroad, to make their pilgrimage to Aglona's Basilica in observance of the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary... without packing for the trip... being taken in by both friends and strangers along the way. Young and old, the youngest either carried or pushed in their stroller, as if out for an afternoon walk — people arrive in Aglona from all over the country, and beyond — highways as far away as Liepaja and Ventspils, on the Baltic coast, lined with endless strands of the faithful making the journey, some traveling as much as three weeks each way. It's quite a sight to see! Pilgrims have been making the journey for two hundred years, since the current basilica and abbey were built.
The original wooden church, built in 1699, was destroyed by fire in 1766. The current structure was completed in 1780 and and consecrated in 1800. The church's icon is reputed to possess miraculous healing powers.
The town of Aglona itself was still run down during my visit, despite housing the heart of Catholicism in Latvia. I looked forward to the day that not only the church, but all Aglona, experiences renewal.
Additional reading
- Aglona article at Wikipedia
- Aglona in Detail, extensive article at the Latgale Research Center
- Discovering Latvia's Treasures - ABOUT
- Basilica of Our Lady of Aglona
- Bauska's castle ruins
- The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia
- Nature at home in Bolderaja
- Jaunmokas Manor
- Jelgava Palace
- Liepāja's past: faded, excised, under restoration, and Contius' organ
- Rundāle Palace, Rastrelli's Latvian masterpiece
- Rīga, around the old and new town