Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Penha

The Basilica of Nossa Senhora da Penha is a national Marian shrine perched on a rocky hill in Rio de Janeiro's Penha neighbourhood — a place of pilgrimage since 1728 and the centrepiece of the annual October pilgrimage, one of Brazil's largest religious gatherings. The church crowning the rock rewards the steep climb with panoramic views across Rio's northern zone, drawing millions of the faithful each October.