The Sanctuary of Montevergine is a place of religious interest located in Mercogliano, in the locality of the same name.
The original religious complex was built at the behest of San Guglielmo da Vercelli (1085-1142), driven by a very strong devotion to the Madonna. Its history is closely linked to the painting of Saint Mary with the Child Jesus in her arms present inside the Ancient Basilica, to which numerous intercessions are attributed: a work of art which, still today, is known by the na read more
The Sanctuary of Montevergine is a place of religious interest located in Mercogliano, in the locality of the same name.
The original religious complex was built at the behest of San Guglielmo da Vercelli (1085-1142), driven by a very strong devotion to the Madonna. Its history is closely linked to the painting of Saint Mary with the Child Jesus in her arms present inside the Ancient Basilica, to which numerous intercessions are attributed: a work of art which, still today, is known by the name of "Madonna di Montevergine" or "Mamma Schiavona". Dressed in solemn grace, the first Marian shrine in Campania rises at an altitude of 1,200 metres, in a landscape of extraordinary beauty, which can already be appreciated from the short journey on one of the steepest and fastest funiculars in Europe which, in 7 minutes, faithful from Mercogliano station to the Sanctuary.
Today, the Sanctuary of Montevergine is known as one of the six Italian territorial abbeys, a destination for tourists who, every year, come there to venerate the Madonna. An imposing corner staircase leads to the entrance of the religious complex, characterized by two churches: the Ancient Basilica and the more recent Cathedral Basilica. The Ancient Basilica was already enlarged at the end of the XII century, when its rooms were no longer able to contain the monastic community and the ever-increasing number of faithful who went there on pilgrimage. The last restoration, dated 1645, allowed the structure to take on typically Baroque traits, although it was built on the old Gothic-style building that still emerges in some corners of the church. It is here that the miraculous effigy of the Madonna is housed, the true glory of the Sanctuary. The new Basilica Cathedral, built starting from 1948 and completed in 1961, is instead characterized by a structure with three naves, separated by arches on both sides: in Romanesque style, simple and modern, it was built to allow more pilgrims to be able to participate in functions. Inside the new building, a marble throne stands out which houses a nailed Crucifix, in the space where, from 1960 to 2012, the painting of "Mamma Schiavona" had been placed. Finally, numerous rooms wind around the two churches, including three cloisters, the Library, the Crypt, some reception rooms and the MAM (Museo Abbaziale di Montevergine), established in 2000 to collect the innumerable testimonies on popular devotion and on the famous Juta a Montevergine, or the pilgrimage or the "ascent" on foot towards the Sanctuary which is constantly renewed throughout the year and in particular in the months of May and September dedicated to the Madonna and on the occasion of Candlemas on 2 February.
An authentic treasure trove of faith, art and history, the Sanctuary of Montevergine is one of the most important and representative devotional places not only in Irpinia, but in all of Campania. read less
