Basilica of the Assumption, Aglona
| Basilica of the Assumption of Aglona | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Basic information | |
| Location |
 Latvia, Aglona
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| Geographic coordinates | 56°07′37″N 27°00′56″E / 56.12694°N 27.01556°ECoordinates: 56°07′37″N 27°00′56″E / 56.12694°N 27.01556°E |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic Diocese of Rezekne-Aglona |
| Rite | Latin |
| Year consecrated | 1800 |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Basilica |
| Website | aglonasbazilika.lv |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural style | Baroque |
| Groundbreaking | 1768 |
| Completed | 1780 |
| Specifications | |
| Spire height | 60 m |
| Materials | bricks plastered |
Basilica of the Assumption in Aglona, Latvia is one of the most important Catholic spiritual centers in Latvia.
The construction of the present church was started in 1768 and finalized in 1780. It is built in the Italian Baroque style, and is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and consecrated in 1800 by Bishop J. Benislavski.
The church was the seat of the bishop of Riga from 1920 to 1924, when the newly promoted archbishop Antonijs Springovičs moved to the Cathedral of St. James in Riga. Springovičs was consecrated bishop there on 22 August 1920 by Kaunas auxiliary bishop Juozapas Skvireckas.
Every year thousands of pilgrims flock to the Basilica on the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 15 August. It is one of the eight international shrines recognized by the Holy See and its religious events were attended by around 300,000 pilgrims.
In 1980 Basilica of the Assumption celebrated its 200th anniversary, and Pope John Paul II granted it the title of "Basilica minoris". In September 1993 the same pope visited the basilica.
In 1697, Landlady Eve Justīnes Šostovickas called the then bishop of Livonia, Nicholas Paplavskis, and in 1688 arrived from Vilnius a Dominican monastery priors father, Remigijs Mosokovskis and Aglona chose to place sacral buildings. In 1699 Dominicans founded a monastery where in 1670 they first built a wooden church. On 10 September 1751 was consecrated a wooden church during the third visit of the Livonian Bishop of Aglona, Joseph Dominic Puzinas. Church Dominicans placed Our Lady, which was painted by Trakai Virgin svētgleznas sample.
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Wikipedia