St. Mary of Capo Colonna's Sanctuary, Religious shrine on Lacinio promontory near Crotone, Italy.
St. Mary of Capo Colonna's Sanctuary stands on a promontory near Crotone and houses a sacred Byzantine icon within a chapel decorated by Severini's frescoes. The interior also features a baptismal font from the 13th century that visitors can view.
Basilian monks from Salice Salentino established the sanctuary between the 11th and 13th centuries at a site that once held an ancient temple of Hera Lacinia. In the 16th century, outside attackers attempted to destroy the venerated icon but were unsuccessful.
The place has long served as a center for devotion to the Virgin Mary, drawing pilgrims across generations. Visitors can sense this spiritual focus throughout the chapel, where the sacred icon remains the focal point of prayer and reverence.
The sanctuary sits on an open cape with easy land access and offers basic facilities for visitors. Those planning a visit should be prepared for windier coastal conditions and allow time to explore the interior at a relaxed pace.
The location is known for its icon, which according to local accounts survived an attack when invaders tried unsuccessfully to burn it in the 16th century. This story continues to influence how people understand the sanctuary's spiritual power.
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