Why is Lourdes is important us to Christians?

Before I travel to Lourdes I want to find out why it is so important and it's significance to Christians. This is what I have found out about it and my opinions. Lourdes is an important place for us Christians because it is a location where a Marian Apparition was spotted by Saint Bernadette Soubirous.

Staue of Mary at the Grotto where St
Bernadette saw the Apparition

The Marian Apparition was spotted on the 11th of February, 1854. It was reported that Saint Bernadette was praying at a Grotto and was about to leave then she suddenly saw a golden cloud and a young lady. Once she saw this she immediately got on her knees and prayed. This spotting was the begging of a total of 18 sighting of the Marian Apparition.

Some key dates during the period of the sightings are: February 25 and March 25, 1958. On the 25th of February there was a crowd at the Grotto to see if the apparitions were true and as Bernadette was praying she fell into a trance and began crawling around and digging up muddy water and began to smear it on her face. She told the people that she was told to 'drink and wash herself in it'. That day, at night some of the onlookers dug deeper into the hole and found an underground spring. It is said that the spring's water has healing powers.  On March 25th Bernadette was given the identity of the apparition to be the Immaculate Conception.

I think that this pilgrimage site is very important. It comes to be as a place of healing and a place where we can speak with Mary. It is a place where we can further our knowledge with the church and its teachings. It is also a place where I can gain more interest and understanding of the Catholic Faith. This is why I intend to travel to Lourdes.