Basilica of St. Pius X (The Underground Basilica)

Work commenced on the building of the Underground Basilica on 30^th May 1956. It was Consecrated 25^th March 1958 for the centenary of the Apparitions by Cardinal Roncalli who later became Pope John XXIII.

The Underground Basilica provides a gathering place for all the pilgrims and sick of Lourdes. The building is in the form of an ellipse, the roof is in the form of an upturned boat and the centre point of the altar signifies that the Church the "barque of St. Peter" guided by Christ. (Others have described as being akin to Jonah in the whale with the reinforcing concrete pillars looking like the bones of the whale)

The Underground Basilica is the church used for the International Mass that takes place on every Sunday and Wednesday when all the Pilgrims and sick in Lourdes join together in a unifying single act of worship. The church is able to house up to 30,000 people at one mass.

The Basilica whilst having an austere plain concrete finish is decorated with 52 "Gemmail" images representing the 15 Stations of the Cross; the story of the Apparitions of Our Lady to St. Bernadette, and the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary.