Medjugorje ("between the hills") has become well known in Bosnia-Hercegovina, and the world, because of 6 young people who claim to have seen visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since the apparitions began in 1981, millions of people of all faiths, from all over the world, have visited Medjugorje and have left spiritually strengthened and renewed.After the beginning of the apparitions, the Church and the area around it were gradually developed. The remains of the old church are preserved in a park inside the traffic circle on the left side of the current shrine.

The whole region is inhabited by Croatians who received Christianity 13 centuries ago. In historical documents, thevillage was mentioned in 1599 for the first time. The present parish was founded in 1892 and dedicated to St. James the Apostle,protector of pilgrims. Until June 24, 1981, Medjugorje lived like all other villages of this region: people worked on their land, planted tobacco and produced wine just enough for a modest life for their families.

MEDJUGORJE: