Grotte Vaticane

The Grotta di Lourdes is an artificial cave in the Vatican Gardens, built as a replica of the famous grotto in Lourdes, France. It was constructed between 1902 and 1905 on the initiative of Pope Leo XIII, who commissioned a copy of the French site. The historical background of its construction is closely tied to Pope Pius IX's proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854 and to the visions of the young Bernadette Soubirous, who saw the Virgin Mary as the Immaculate Conception. The complex was designed by Konstantin Sneider, who worked within the circle of the Apostolic Palaces, and was solemnly consecrated by Pope Pius X, with the Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception contributing to its construction from around the world.

Architecturally, the Vatican grotto is smaller than the French original but retains the appropriate scale and the setting of the church. The structure originally featured a tall tower that was reached by two flights of stairs. For safety reasons, however, Pope Pius XI had this tower demolished, and in 1962, under Pope John XXIII, the side staircases were removed as well. As a result, the grotto became a simpler structure with an impressive altar and a small statue of the Immaculate Virgin. Beneath this statue is an inscription bearing the message Mary gave to Bernadette Soubirous, who was later beatified and canonized. The original altar from the French grotto was taken over by Pope John XXIII in 1960 and installed here.

Today the grotto is a place of quiet devotion and prayer. It stands along the wall near the Tower of St. John. Next to the grotto is a fountain symbolizing the Virgin's invitation to Bernadette, as well as a marble plaque with a Latin historical record of the grotto's construction. The pope traditionally visits the grotto on May 31 to celebrate Mass there, as Pope Francis most recently did shortly after his election, when he prayed before the statue of the Virgin.