EIMIN: Lithuania granted exclusive right to present itself at global religious tourism forum
The Ministry of the Economy and Innovation (EIMIN) has signed an agreement for Lithuania to participate in one of the world's largest religious tourism forums (IWRT), to be held in Fátima, Portugal, at the beginning of next year. This is an important step in strengthening Lithuania's religious tourism potential on an international scale, presenting our country as a centre of religious tourism, ecclesiastical heritage and pilgrimage, and attracting more tourists, particularly to the regions.
Lithuania is a rapidly growing and attractive travel destination in Northern Europe, with great potential to attract religious tourists seeking to visit our country's shrines and pilgrimage sites and find spiritual peace. Šiluva, the Hill of Crosses and the Gate of Dawn are just some of the sacred sites in Lithuania that attract pilgrims from all over the world. Participation in the World Religious Tourism Forum in Fatima will therefore provide Lithuania with a unique opportunity to present its tourism potential, promote the intensive development of its religious tourism sector, and encourage interest in its sacred sites," says Agila Barzdienė, Vice Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
The IWRT forum, which will take place in Fátima on 19–20 February 2026, is expected to attract an international audience from over 40 countries. It will provide a valuable platform for Lithuania to present its religious sites and sacred heritage, including its architecture, popular pilgrimage destinations, monasteries, wooden churches, religious museums and symbols, pilgrimage routes, and traditions of indulgences and religious festivals. In addition to EIMIN, Lithuania will be represented at the congress by Keliauk Lietuvoje, Go Vilnius, the Archdioceses of Vilnius and Kaunas, the Municipality of Raseiniai and other representatives.
Lithuania's religious heritage forms an integral part of our country's history and cultural identity. This includes not only official church traditions and artefacts, but also the values of folk religiosity, such as wooden chapels and crosses. The latter are part of the cross-crafting tradition, which is on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.
Religious tourists would be interested in visiting the sites that make Lithuania famous, such as Vilnius Cathedral with St Casimir's Chapel, the Gate of Dawn with its miraculous image of the Mother of Mercy, the Baroque Pažaislis Monastery and the Šiluva Shrine, which is famous for the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Lithuanian churches and monasteries could also offer cultural, educational and spiritual experiences, such as retreats, concerts and programmes about monastic life, as well as culinary experiences. Lithuanian museums showcase the country's religious art.
Traditional religious festivals also provide tourists with authentic spiritual experiences. These include Šilinės in Šiluva, which has been celebrated for almost 500 years; the Feast of Divine Mercy and Mercy Week in Vilnius after Easter; the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy at the Gate of Dawn; the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Pivašiūnai in the Alytus district; and the Great Samogitian Calvary Festival.
Pilgrimage routes such as the St. John Paul II Pilgrim Route, the Camino Lituano, the St. James Route and the Way of Grace would also be of interest to religious tourists.
The IWRT forum in Fátima will spread awareness of the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy, which will take place in Vilnius from 7 to 12 June 2026. This global religious event takes place every three years in a different country. The Pontifical Council for New Evangelisation is implementing this initiative in Lithuania together with the Archdiocese of Vilnius. The Congress is expected to attract more than 5,000 pilgrims.
The World Apostolic Congresses on Mercy have already taken place in Rome, Italy (2008); Krakow, Poland (2011); Bogotá, Colombia (2014); Manila, Philippines (2017); and Apia, Samoa (2023).
According to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, around 300–330 million tourists visit religious sites worldwide each year, with approximately 40% of these trips taking place in Europe.