VAHLE on sacred paths
VAHLE electrifies pilgrim train in Aparecida in Brazil. Almost eight million pilgrims come here every year.
October 12 is the national holiday "Nossa Senhora Aparecida" in Brazil.
Brazilians have been commemorating their country's patron saint, Nossa Senhora Aparecida, since 1980.
Since the apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1717, the city of Aparecida has been the most important place of pilgrimage in Brazil, if not the largest place of pilgrimage in the world. Almost eight million pilgrims come here every year.
VAHLE electrifies pilgrim train in Aparecida in Brazil. Almost eight million pilgrims come here every year.
Of course, they have to be moved and as the distances in Aparecida are enormous, an electric pilgrim train has been in operation since this year. It travels a distance of approx. 1,400 meters for approx. 15 minutes through the Brazilian hinterland and is electrified by a U25 conductor rail made by VAHLE.
We are delighted to be part of something above ground :)
A little historical digression
In 1717, three fishermen in Aparecida del Norte made a valuable catch: with their nets, they fished a 36 cm tall figure of the Virgin Mary out of the Paraiba River, which is located near the town of Guaratingueta.
This laid the foundation for pilgrimages and pilgrimages to this small community in São Paulo. A basilica was later consecrated to Our Lady on this occasion.
The national shrine of Our Lady, the Cathedral of Nossa Senhora Aparecida, is located about halfway between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, directly on the highway.
The huge building offers space for 45,000 people and is said by Brazilians to be the second largest cathedral after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
