Csíksomlyó Pilgrimage 2027 – a guide for pilgrims

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On the Saturday before Whitsun, hundreds of thousands gather in the saddle between Little and Great Somlyó. The Csíksomlyó pilgrimage is one of the largest pilgrimages of Hungarian Catholics – and a long day in the open air that for many begins before dawn. This guide helps you plan it well: when to set off, how to get there, where to stay and what to bring.

Whit Saturday, 15 May 2027 – time left until the festive Mass

190days10hours2minutes

The countdown is based on the 2026 start time of 12:30 (local time). The shrine publishes the 2027 programme in the weeks before the pilgrimage.

Date: 15 May 2027, Whit Saturday (Whit Sunday: 16 May)
Place: Csíksomlyó (Miercurea Ciuc), the saddle between Little and Great Somlyó, Hármashalom Altar
Time difference: Romania is one hour ahead of Hungary
Admission: Free, no registration needed

The pilgrimage in brief

As early as 1444 the Franciscan church at Csíksomlyó was supported by an indulgence: Pope Eugene IV urged the faithful in a letter to help build it. By tradition, the Whitsun pilgrimage commemorates an event of 1567, when the Székely people of Csík defended their Catholic faith. Since then pilgrims have come every year on Whit Saturday – many on foot, walking in procession behind the banners of their villages.

The shrine’s greatest treasure is a 2.27-metre statue of the Virgin Mary carved from lime wood in the early 16th century, recognised by the Church as miraculous in 1798. The festive Mass is celebrated in the saddle above the church, at the Hármashalom Altar designed by Imre Makovecz and completed in 1996. Pope Francis celebrated Mass here on 1 June 2019.

The full history of the pilgrimage

The programme

The pilgrimage runs from Friday to Whit Monday. The schedule below shows the 2026 programme, as recent years have been very similar. The shrine publishes the 2027 times in the weeks before the pilgrimage, and we will update them here. All times are local time.

Friday14 May 2027

18.00Opening Mass in the pilgrimage church, followed by an all-night vigil
–During the day, Masses for pilgrims arriving by pilgrim train and in groups; in the evening, the mounted pilgrims arrive at the Saddle

Saturday – the day of the pilgrimage15 May 2027

7.30Mass in the pilgrimage church
10.30Solemn rosary at the Hármashalom Altar; the procession sets off from the square in front of the church to the Saddle
12.30Festive Mass at the Hármashalom Altar (11:30 Hungarian time)
17.00Csángó Mass in the Sts Peter and Paul parish church in Csobotfalva
18.00Whitsun vigil Mass in the pilgrimage church, followed by a vigil

Whit Sunday16 May 2027

7.00 · 8.00 · 10.30 · 18.00Masses in the pilgrimage church

Whit Monday17 May 2027

8.00 · 10.30 · 18.00Masses in the pilgrimage church

In 2026 the principal celebrant and preacher was János Székely, Bishop of Szombathely. Many pilgrims also climb Little Somlyó before dawn on Whit Sunday to watch the sunrise from there. This is a folk tradition, not part of the official programme.

Getting there

By pilgrim trainPilgrim trains leave Hungary for the pilgrimage every year. The Székely Gyors and the Csíksomlyó Expressz, organised by MÁV and the Kárpáteurópa travel agency, run with a four-day programme – in 2026 from 22 to 25 May. Pilgrimage guides accompany the passengers.

By carCsíksomlyó is roughly 700 kilometres from Budapest – a long day’s drive. The most common route runs via Oradea, Cluj-Napoca and Târgu Mureș, then on to Miercurea Ciuc via Odorheiu Secuiesc. In Romania an electronic road vignette (rovinieta) is required on national roads as well.

By coach or scheduled trainMany parishes and travel agencies organise coach pilgrimages; coaches stop at designated places on the edge of town. Miercurea Ciuc can also be reached by scheduled train from Brașov. The nearest airports are in Târgu Mureș and Brașov.

Parking and local transport

During the pilgrimage, the streets of Miercurea Ciuc leading to Csíksomlyó are closed. In 2026 only vehicles with a permit could enter from 10 pm on Friday until 6 pm on Saturday, and you cannot drive up to the Saddle. The organisers ask everyone who can to park on the edge of town and continue on foot.

Coming from Brașov, park along the Brașov road (Strada Brașovului); the police direct coaches to their places.
Coming from Odorheiu Secuiesc, areas beyond the railway tracks are opened for parking, mainly for coaches and cars.
Coming from Gheorgheni and Ghimeș, use the large car parks on the edge of town or the areas at Șoimeni, Păuleni-Ciuc and Delnița.
Local buses: more frequent services run on Saturday outside the closed zone, and on Sunday also on the road up to Csíksomlyó, to help older pilgrims.

The city of Miercurea Ciuc publishes the parking arrangements before the pilgrimage every year. The details above reflect the 2026 arrangements.

Accommodation

For the pilgrimage weekend, accommodation in Miercurea Ciuc and the surrounding villages is often fully booked months ahead, so it is worth booking in the autumn or winter. If you cannot find a place in town, look in the villages of Csík, in Băile Tușnad or in Odorheiu Secuiesc, and allow for the daily journey. We have collected church-run accommodation on our Pilgrim accommodation page, including the Jakab Antal House near the pilgrimage church.

Pilgrim accommodation

Do you organise coach pilgrimages, or offer accommodation or meals around Miercurea Ciuc? Appear as a recommended partner in the pilgrimage guide.For partners

What to bring

A raincoat or umbrella and layers. In the Saddle you may get both sunshine and cold rain, and it is chilly at dawn and in the evening.
Comfortable, closed shoes. You will stand on grassy, sloping ground that can be slippery after rain.
Water, food and sun protection for the whole day: a hat and sunscreen.
A sitting mat or a small folding stool. Many people wait for hours before the festive Mass.
An ID card or passport, a European Health Insurance Card and some cash in lei.
A charged phone and a power bank. In the crowd, an agreed meeting point helps a lot if you get separated.

In 2026 the organisers reported that bears had been seen more often around Little Somlyó. Stay on the marked routes and do not leave food behind.

For groups

The police direct coaches to designated places on the edge of town. Arrive early and allow time for the walk.
Bring a clearly visible flag or sign, and agree on a meeting point both in the Saddle and at the car park.
For a group, book accommodation and meals as early as the autumn before the pilgrimage.
Plan a short pilgrimage to the shrines of the area for the days after the pilgrimage – for example the Csík shrines route.

If you stay another day

CsíkPilgrimage Church and Franciscan Friary – CsíksomlyóThe heart of the pilgrimage and home of the Marian statueCsíki kegyhelyek útja CsíkSt John's Church – CsíkdelneMedieval church standing in the fields within a circular stone wallCsíki kegyhelyek útja CsíkSt Anne's Chapel – St Anne's LakePilgrimage chapel on the shore of a volcanic crater lakeAlcsík és a Szent Anna-tó GyimesChurch of the Assumption at Kontumác – GyimesbükkMother church of the Gyimes valley, near the thousand-year-old borderCsíksomlyótól az ezeréves határig

Frequently asked questions

When is the Csíksomlyó pilgrimage in 2027?

On Whit Saturday, 15 May 2027. Whit Sunday falls on 16 May. The pilgrimage programme already starts on Friday, 14 May.

What time does the festive Mass begin?

In 2026 it began at 12:30 local time, which is 11:30 Hungarian time. The shrine announces the 2027 time in the weeks before the pilgrimage.

Do I need a ticket or to register?

No. Anyone can attend the pilgrimage free of charge. Tickets are only needed for the pilgrim trains and organised trips.

Can I drive up to the Saddle?

No. The Saddle can only be reached on foot, and the surrounding streets are closed during the pilgrimage. Park in the designated areas on the edge of town.

Is it worth going with elderly people or small children?

Yes, but allow for the long walk and the crowds. Those who find walking difficult can attend the Masses in the pilgrimage church, and on Sunday local buses take them closer to the church.

Pilgrimage church and Franciscan friaryThe Csíksomlyó shrine page The pilgrimage in the events calendarSave it to your calendar Csíki kegyhelyek útjaA one-day pilgrimage route after the pilgrimage Pilgrimage feasts and holidays in Székely LandThe calendar of a church year Pilgrim accommodationChurch and monastery accommodation for pilgrims Pilgrim passportMark the places you have visited – online or on paper