Medjugorje is located among the hills in the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 25km southwest of Mostar.
Until June 24, 1981, Medjugorje lived like any other village in this region, when according to six teenagers the Virgin Mary appeared on a hillside between the villages of Medjugorje and Bijakovici.
Sightings have continued through the years, making Medjugorje one of the most popular destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Hotels and guest houses have been built and the streets in the centre are lined with cafes and souvenir stands.
The St. James Church offers daily programme of masses, meetings, blessings and prayers in a number of different languages.
The sightings have traditionally appeared on Monday and Friday on the side of Podbrdo, the Hill of Apparitions, about an hour's walk from the St. James Church.
The paved square in front of the church was completed in 1988, with a statue of Our Lady created from descriptions given by the visionaries.
To date over 15 million people from all over the world have visited the site.
Although the Pope hasn't recognised Medjugorje as an official pilgrimage, the village has become the second largest Catholic pilgrimage site in the world.
Most visitors travel to Medjugorje as part of a group tour, and most fly into Split or Dubrovnik in Croatia , and then travel overland into Bosnia and Herzegovina by bus.
Medjugorje Peace Tours (01372 745 550, www.medjugorje-peacetours.com ) is running a pilgrimage to Medjugorje for Easter, leaving from London Gatwick on April 5 and returning on April 12.
