(1/3) Emmitsburg might just be a small town located in Frederick County in Maryland, however it is a location that can provide visitors with plenty of different things to do when they step foot within the region.
Founded in 1785, Emmitsburg is home to Mount St. Mary's University and features two Catholic pilgrimage sites: the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and Basilica and National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, thus highlighting how this small town has plenty of historic value to add to the entire United States of America.
Located just south of the famed Mason-Dixon line, there is also plenty of history here as it is the line that separates the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania, whilst having also served as the dividing line between the Union and Confederate states during the Civil War. The town of Emmitsburg is also close to the town of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania as it is just a short drive away, which would also allow visitors to enjoy an online casino experience with Casino777 as it is currently outlawed within the state of Maryland.
However, for those who visit Emmitsburg, what are the best things to do whilst in the town? What activities can be accomplished and what sites can be visited? There is certainly a lot to enjoy!
The National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
Perhaps the biggest reason why so many travel to Emmitsburg on a regular occasion is due to the fact that The National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is located within the town.
It is a beautiful Catholic national shrine that features one of the oldest replicas of France's Lourdes shrine in America and was constructed in the 1870s following the apparition of Mary at Lourdes in 1858.
Devoted to Our Blessed Mother Mary, the shrine is a top pilgrimage site for Catholic visitors as it offers opportunities for meditation and contemplation to those who visit it. It can be found within stunning forested grounds, with incredible attractions like the Grotto of Lourdes Cave which is a replica that was built in 1875 that offers opportunities for prayer and candle lighting
Additionally, visitors to this attraction will also be able to explore the Mother Teresa Garden and the Pangborn Memorial Campanile tower which stands at 95-feet.
The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
One of America's top Catholic pilgrimage sites, The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a religious basilica and shrine that pays tribute to the life and career of Elizabeth Ann Seton. She was the first native-born citizen to be canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, which is why so many from the entire country go on an annual pilgrimage to the site, all of which are held several times throughout the year, whilst there is a dedicated annual event that honors all Catholic women in the US who are named Elizabeth.
The basilica honors Seton's journey through life as a teacher in Baltimore to the Founder of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, which was the United States' first free girls' Catholic school. The shrine, which can be visited regularly throughout the week, is located at the site of two former buildings connected to the school, with the grounds including a basilica, cemetery, museum and mortuary chapel that once held Seton's remains.
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Also located within Emmitsburg, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial is an attraction that can be visited by the public. This site is the official national memorial that honors United States firefighters that have fallen, regardless of whether they were professionals or volunteers.
The memorial is located on the campus of the National Fire Academy and was established in 1981 and is intended as a tribute to the country's fire service. Each and every member of the firefighting service to have fallen are honored with plaques that list their name which encircle the plaza. Each time a firefighter dies, flags are flown at half-staff in their honor at the site, with every October seeing a National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service being held on the grounds of the memorial site. There is a candlelight vigil that takes place alongside a memorial service, as people pay their respects to those who have been protecting the country nationwide.
