Here is a place worth discovering, even for non-believing travelers. Hidden under the Boulevard Père Rémi Sempé in the Pyrenean town of Lourdes in France, you will find the impressive Basilica of Saint Pius X, also known as the underground basilica.
This church was completed in 1957 and was consecrated a year later by a Roman cardinal. Everybody knows that Lourdes is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites by Catholics from around the world: in this place, apparently, the Virgin Mary appeared to a girl named Bernadette that in time he would reach holiness. This spectacular and immense underground church was built precisely to welcome the floods of pilgrims that flood the town on the designated dates.
The huge main hall of this temple is more than 400 meters long and has capacity to house more than 24.000 faithful. Its appearance is very peculiar and not at all reminiscent of a typical Catholic church. Its architecture is truly groundbreaking, with large pillars of elevated arches that line the interior and bare concrete walls.
One of the things that is most lacking is natural light. In fact, that is the biggest criticism that the Basilica of Saint Pius X has received from devout Christians: they would prefer a more traditional place, although they all agree on one thing: the place is impressive and awe inspiring.
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