Apparition Hill
Podbrdo Hill, Medjugorje, 88226
One of Europe's most important Marian apparition sites, Apparition Hill has been a place of Catholic pilgrimage since 1981, when a group of six local children first claimed to have seen apparitions of Mary. Today, the hill and its nearby St. James Church draw in more than a million visitors a year.
The basics
Apparition Hill is situated in the town of Međugorje, and devout visitors usually hike up to the top of the hill, praying the rosary as they make their way up. It’s customary for pilgrims to also pay a visit to St. James Church to attend Mass. Apparition Hill is frequently visited on day tours from Split in neighboring Croatia, along with destinations such as the medieval city of Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls.
Things to know before you go
Apparition Hill provides an interesting lens into culture and spirituality, and is worth visiting whether you’re religious or not.
Out of respect for local cultures, remember to cover your shoulders and upper legs before entering a church.
If you’re visiting Apparition Hill on a day trip from Croatia, don’t forget to bring your passport—you’ll need it to cross the border until Bosnia and Herzegovina joins the EU.
Make sure to bring sun protection, especially in the summer months, when the sun in this part of Europe can be brutal.
Climbing up the hill can be difficult, particularly for travelers with limited mobility.
How to get there
Many people visit Apparition Hill and Međugorje on a day trip from Split, a 90-minute drive away, or Trogir, a 2-hour drive away. It’s not easy to reach by public transportation, so if you want to visit, you can either rent a car and drive independently, or join a guided tour.
When to get there
Apparition Hill is best visited in the spring or fall, when the weather is warm and dry, but not as hot as in July and August. Winters can be cold and rainy. Masses are held in English every morning at St. James Church, and the rosary is recited every afternoon, followed by Croatian Mass.
Počitelj
Perched atop a karst cliff overlooking the Neretva River, a 20-minute drive from Međugorje, the historic town of Počitelj is a great place to see some of the region’s major architectural styles from the last five centuries. While the fortified old town itself dates back to the Middle Ages, you'll also find plenty of Venetian and even Ottoman structures, including a mosque and a hammam (bathhouse).
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