Analysis of pilgrimage tourism in South-Eastern Europe
Contemporary Definition of tourism, According to internationally accepted standards, it encompasses all activities arising from the travel and stay of persons outside their usual environment for a period not exceeding one year, for the purpose of leisure, business travel or other reasons not directly related to receiving financial compensation in the place visited.
Within this broad framework, Religious tourism and pilgrimages they stand out as one of the oldest and most resilient forms of selective tourist movements, with its origins dating back to the earliest stages of human history. In the context of modern economic processes, pilgrimage tourism is experiencing exceptional expansion, especially after the Second World War, which is evident in the examples of globally established destinations in France, Italy and Mexico. Religious tourism represents a complex and sensitive area of interaction between religion, the tourism economy, and culture, where the primary motivation of pilgrims lies in fulfilling spiritual needs and exploring the essence of human existence. In the Republic of Croatia, in earlier strategic documents such as the Tourism Development Strategy until 2020, this segment was viewed as a highly relevant product of cultural tourism possessing a high level of authenticity in its original form. Similarly, throughout the Southeast European region, where Catholic, Orthodox, and Islamic traditions have intertwined for centuries, pilgrimage tourism not only ensures the preservation of cultural and historical heritage but also represents a powerful driver of local economic development.
Catholic shrines in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Međugorje as a global phenomenon and economic driver
Međugorje, situated in the Herzegovinian karst, is traffic-wise isolated and relatively difficult to access, but despite these obstacles, it has established itself as one of the most visited Marian pilgrimage sites globally. This phenomenon attracts around three million pilgrims annually, with an especially pronounced concentration during the summer months. Statistical data collected since the 1980s bear witness to the enormous scale of this spiritual centre. From January 1985 to June 2024, a total of 47,413,740 holy communions were distributed in the parish and associated locations, while 1,060,799 priests concelebrated at the Masses. The year 2024 was the second most successful year in history with 2,009,000 Holy Communions distributed, while the number of 47,883 concelebrating priests set an absolute historical record. Medjugorje received additional impetus and institutional stability in September 2024, when the Holy See's Press Office published the Note „Queen of Peace“ from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, granting Medjugorje the status of „Nihil obstat“, thereby officially recognising and confirming the positive spiritual fruits of this pilgrimage centre.
From an economic and spatial perspective, the impact of Medjugorje on the region is enormous, yet also burdened by structural problems. From 1981 to the end of 2013, 28 million pilgrims and tourists visited this site, of whom 21 million were foreign visitors. Međugorje generates approximately 90 million euros in annual revenue and records 1.9 million overnight stays, while the travel costs paid by pilgrims to carriers over three decades have reached an estimated 8.5 billion euros. However, rapid development took place outside an adequate legal and urban planning framework, resulting in economic chaos and the expansion of the grey economy. Scientific and professional research shows that as many as 571 TP3T of the newly built tourist facilities in Međugorje were erected without the necessary permits and approvals, indicating that the local and cantonal authorities have lost control over the area, creating obstacles to the full fiscal and urban legalisation of this global brand.
Marija Bistrica and Trsat as pillars of national pilgrimage
In the Republic of Croatia, pilgrimage tourism has deep traditional roots in the north and west of the country. The National Shrine of the Mother of God of Bistrica in Marija Bistrica records an annual visit of around 800,000 pilgrims, holding the primacy in the continental part of the country. Alongside it, an exceptionally important Marian centre with regional and national significance is the Sanctuary of the Mother of God in Trsat, Rijeka, which attracts pilgrims from Primorje, Istria, and Gorski Kotar, functioning as a key site of spiritual and cultural heritage in western Croatia. These sanctuaries see a continuous flow of visitors throughout the year, which significantly distinguishes them from seasonal coastal tourism.
Our Lady of Sinj: Historical continuity, infrastructure and modern pilgrimage routes
The Sanctuary of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj in Sinj is the central Marian shrine of the Cetina region and the wider Dalmatian hinterland. The history of the veneration of this miraculous image dates back to the period of the Ottoman wars in Europe; the image was originally located in Sinj, from where it was transferred in 1536 due to the Ottoman invasion to Rama in Bosnia and Herzegovina, only to be returned to Sinj in 1687, where it is kept today in the Franciscan monastery and where it was solemnly crowned in 1716. The parish in Sinj has a strong influence on the local community, which is also reflected in the statistical indicators for 2023, recording 114 marriages and 170 funerals. Once a year, during a grand procession for the Feast of the Assumption, a miraculous icon passes through the city streets, which the locals traditionally call her domain.
The infrastructure development of the sanctuary is focused on receiving and supporting pilgrims throughout the year. Within the monastery complex, near the entrance and the souvenir shop, there is a modernly equipped „Pilgrim's Hall“ which can accommodate up to 45 pilgrims, offering them a place for refreshment at a comfortable basement temperature and the possibility to follow liturgical celebrations live via a wall-mounted monitor. The connection of the sanctuary with larger centres is facilitated by public transport, as the bus line from Split to Sinj only takes 50 minutes. Pilgrimage programmes in Sinj also include the traditional votive pilgrimage of the Parish of the Lady of Sinj to the Cross on Visoka, starting from Radošić, as well as a pilgrimage on the eve of the feast of the Little Lady which sets off from the Alka racecourse towards Vepric. With the aim of deseasonalising and encouraging sustainable religious tourism, the cross-border project „Staza Gospi Sinjskoj“ was developed, intended for year-round hiking in both directions. Within this project, the idea of „Saturday novenas“ has come to life, which organises pilgrimages along a new route, connecting Solin, Dugopolje and Sinj, thereby expanding pilgrimage flows beyond the traditional summer holidays.
Aljmaš: Our Lady of Refuge as a symbol of renewal
In eastern Croatia, at the confluence of the Drava and Danube rivers, lies the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Refuge in Aljmaš, one of the most significant Marian sanctuaries in the country, visited annually by between 150,000 and 180,000 pilgrims. During the feast of the Assumption of Mary itself, Aljmaš attracts around 70,000 worshippers, placing an exceptionally heavy burden on the local infrastructure. The history of Aljmaš is deeply marked by the suffering endured during the Croatian War of Independence; the church was completely destroyed in 1991, but the miraculously surviving statue of Our Lady of Refuge became a symbol of hope, survival, and renewal for all of Slavonia.
Orthodox shrines and the ecumenical character of pilgrimage
Ostrog Monastery: An Ecumenical Centre and Cultural Heritage Hewn into the Rock
Located in a rock face at 900 metres above sea level between Nikšić and Podgorica in Montenegro, Ostrog Monastery represents the single most visited pilgrimage site in the Serbian Orthodox Church, attracting between 1 and 1.2 million pilgrims annually. The peak tourist season is recorded during July, August and September, when between 250,000 and 300,000 believers visit the complex, while between 10,000 and 20,000 people gather at the site on the day of Saint Basil of Ostrog (12 May). The monastery holds exceptional importance within the church hierarchy, as evidenced by the fact that its abbot was historically Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral himself, whose personal blessing was required for all activities and filming within the complex.
The monastery is divided into the Lower and Upper Monastery, with the relics of Saint Basil of Ostrog preserved in the Upper Monastery, specifically in the Church of the Entrance, in front of which hundreds of pilgrims queue daily, leaving written prayer messages. The Church of the Holy Cross contains original 17th-century frescoes, which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. An interesting historical artefact within this church is also a preserved unexploded German bomb from the Second World War, which pierced the church wall but fortunately did not detonate. What particularly distinguishes Ostrog across Europe is its pronounced ecumenical and multiconfessional character; it is a place where Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and Muslims pray together and seek solace, thereby transcending confessional divisions and acting as a catalyst for interfaith tolerance in the Balkans.
The Žitomislić Monastery: Guardian of Orthodox Heritage in Hum
In the Neretva River valley, on the road leading from Mostar towards the southern border of Bosnia and Herzegovina, lies the historic Žitomislić Monastery. This complex is located on the western border of the historical area of Dubrava and represents the westernmost preserved Serbian Orthodox monastery in the historical region of Hum. The most significant founders and historical patrons of the monastery hail from the noble families Miloradović and Hrabren, whose support has enabled the survival of this sacred centre through the centuries. The monastery functions not only as an important pilgrimage destination but also as a key point for the preservation of Orthodox spiritual and cultural heritage in the multi-ethnic context of the Herzegovina region.
Islamic places of worship and dervish traditions
Ajvatovica: Europe's largest pilgrimage site and indigenous identity
Ajvatovica, located near Prusac in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is the largest Muslim pilgrimage site in Europe and one of the oldest and most important pilgrimage centres in the country. It is located at the foot of Suljaga mountain, seven kilometres from the old town of Prusac, and due to its indigenous character, it is deeply interwoven into the religious and national identity of Bosniaks. The history of this site is based on the legend of Ajvaz-dedo, a pious Muslim who spent 40 days praying for water. According to legend, on the fortieth morning, he dreamt of a clash between two rams, after which a large rock split in half, allowing for the installation of wooden pipes through the newly formed canyon and the bringing of water to Prusac.
The annual event „Days of Ajvatovica“ gathers tens of thousands of visitors from across the region, as well as pilgrims from Turkey and Iran, making it one of the largest religious and cultural events in the Balkans. Although the entire event attracts a large number of visitors, it is estimated that around 2,000 faithful attend the central religious ceremony and joint prayer on the Ajvatovica plateau itself, thus maintaining the centuries-old tradition of indigenous Bosnian piety.
Blagaj: Synergy of Natural Harmony, Sufism, and Prehistoric Cults
The Dervish Tekke in Blagaj, situated at the very source of the Buna River, represents a unique architectural and natural complex. The spatial organisation of the tekke is based on the seven cosmological principles of the Dervish tradition, which define the relationship between sacred architecture and natural elements: the house, staircase, calm water, waterfall, rocks, bats, and the cave, all interconnected by a path. The tekke was actively operating until the death of the last sheikh, Sejd Šehović, in 1925, after which, in the post-World War II period, the activities of dervishes in Bosnia and Herzegovina were officially banned. Until the early 1970s, the complex was managed by the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the ruined structures within the complex were completely reconstructed in 2012 based on detailed conservation and architectural analyses.
The sanctity of this place has a considerably longer history that predates the arrival of Islam and the Dervish tradition. Archaeological excavations carried out in the cave above the Buna spring, known locally as Vučje točilo, have uncovered prehistoric pottery dating from the early Neolithic period right through to the Iron Age. The most significant discovery is a cylindrical stone pillar with a semicircular end, 2.30 metres high and 70 centimetres in diameter, which resembles a phallus in appearance. Several carved steps at the base of this monument confirm that it served as a prehistoric altar for fertility magic rituals, which attests to the continuous sacred and pilgrimage significance of this natural site throughout millennia of human history.
Comparative analysis and socioeconomic importance of pilgrimage tourism
In order to accurately determine the economic and spatial dimensions of pilgrimage movements in the region, it is necessary to compare the available quantitative indicators. Unlike general tourist movements, which are highly seasonal and sensitive to economic fluctuations – as evidenced by the 121% increase in arrivals in Neum in 2023, reflecting classic summer demand. – Pilgrimage tourism generates a very specific, stable, and long-term demand.
| Pilgrimage centre | Denomination / Character | Annual number of visitors | Key seasonal highlights and specifics | Key economic and spatial features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medjugorje | Catholic / Marian | ~3.000.000 | June (anniversary of the apparition), summer months. 2,009,000 communions in the year 2024. | Annual revenue of €90 million; 1.9 million overnight stays; a high share of the grey economy and 571 TP3T illegal construction. |
| Ostrog Monastery | Orthodox / Ecumenical | 1.000.000 – 1.200.000 | July–September (250k–300k visitors); St. Basil's Feast Day, 12 May (10k–20k). | Under the protection of the Serbian Orthodox Church; UNESCO frescoes in the Church of the Holy Cross; strong multi-confessional character. |
| Marija Bistrica | Catholic / National | ~800.000 | The Feast of the Assumption of Mary (15th August), year-round pilgrimages. | The central national shrine in the Republic of Croatia, an important driver of continental tourism. |
| Aljmaš | Catholic / Regional | 150.000 – 180.000 | Velika Gospa (70,000 visitors on August 15th). | Logistical challenges (drones, arable land for parking); surviving statue as a symbol of post-war reconstruction. |
| Ajvatovica | Islamic / Prayer area | Tens of thousands (during the event) | Central day of the June event; around 2,000 faithful on the plateau itself. | The largest pilgrimage site in Europe; the indigenous character of Bosnian Muslims; five centuries of tradition. |
| Creator Kasun | Islamic / Sufi | High year-round attendance | Year-round cultural and religious visitors; prehistoric continuity of the Bune cave. | The integration of sacral architecture and nature; a prehistoric phallic altar from the Neolithic period. |
The economic and social significance of pilgrimage tourism is reflected in several key dimensions. Primarily, pilgrimages represent an integral part of selective tourism which enables the diversification of the overall tourism offer. With smart management of these resources and the use of technological possibilities, great economic benefits can be achieved for the local population. Religious tourism successfully addresses the problem of seasonality, as pilgrims visit shrines outside the summer season, contributing to a more even spatial and temporal distribution of tourist traffic. Furthermore, pilgrimage tourism encourages the development of related activities such as traditional crafts, souvenir production, local agriculture, and hospitality, creating new jobs in economically less active regions.
On the other hand, the cultural and identity dimension of pilgrimage is also extremely important. Through the renovation of sacral objects, such as the reconstruction of the Tekija in Blagaj in 2012 or the reconstruction of Aljmaš, which was destroyed by war , historical memory and national identity are preserved. At the same time, in a region burdened by historical tensions, pilgrimage centres like the Ostrog Monastery, visited jointly by members of different faiths, act as unique platforms for mutual understanding, tolerance, and the reduction of social distances.
Concluding guidelines for the sustainable development of pilgrimage tourism
For pilgrim tourism to remain sustainable and socially beneficial in the long term, it is necessary to implement a series of measures aimed at its institutional and spatial regulation. The first step involves strict urban planning and the suppression of illegal construction, which would prevent the repetition of negative environmental degradation scenarios that we are witnessing in certain phases of Medjugorje's development. The legalisation of existing and strict control of new buildings are necessary for the protection of the ambient value of the sanctuaries themselves.
Furthermore, it is necessary to encourage the further development of pilgrimage infrastructure, following the example of successful projects such as „Staza Gospi Sinjskoj“ (The Path to Our Lady of Sinj) or the increasingly popular “Camino” trails organised from South Dalmatia all the way to Slavonia. The connection of historical routes, walking trails and ecological tourism enables de-seasonalisation and extended stays for visitors, thereby directly increasing economic benefits for the local community.
Ultimately, synergy between church authorities, state institutions, and local tourism boards is crucial for creating a quality, authentic, and highly professional offering that will respect the sacred character of these places, while simultaneously enabling their safe and sustainable tourism valorisation.
For our tourism sector, pilgrimage tourism can be an important part of the business, either as a standalone trip or as an “add-on” to standard travel. Whether it's an agency or a hotel, understanding cultural and religious differences is important in order to offer guests what is in line with their expectations, without appearing “ignorant”.”
