Medjugorje is a small town located near Citluk and it is 25km southwest of Mostar. It has a population of around 4,000 people. It is known throughout the world as the place where the Virgin Mary appeared. Todays parich was founded in the year 1893 and is dedicated to St. Jakov the apostle, the protector of the pilgrims. Medjugorje, today, is one of the most well-known and most visited pilgrimage locations in the entire catholic world. In the village of Bijakovici, within the parish of Medjugorje, from June 24, 1981, witnessed by 6 then young parishioners (2 boys and 4 girls), was the daily appearance of the Virgin Mary. This appearance changed life within the parish forever. Thanks to the appearance of the Virgin Mary, Medjugorje transformed from a simple village parish to a place pilgrims gather from all over the world as well as becoming one of the largest centres for prayer. It is also known for the mountain Krizevac where the Virgin Mary appeared. The people of Medjugorje built a huge cement cross on the top of this mountain to protect the parish from the city as well as natural disasters.