The Minor Basilica of Mariastein Celebrates its Centenary
23 August 2026
15 August 1926 was a special day for the centuries-old Benedictine monastery and place of pilgrimage, Mariastein in the canton of Solothurn. On this day, the monastery church was granted the status of Minor Basilica by the Vatican, a higher status within the Catholic Church.
has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, attracting around 200 000 pilgrims annually. The origins of the pilgrimage date back to the Middle Ages, whilst the monastery was founded in the 17th century. It continues to fulfil an important social role in the region, and its monks uphold the religious and spiritual tradition.
(Source and further information: Kloster Mariastein)