Basilica Maria Santissima dei Poveri, Minor basilica in Seminara, Italy
Basilica Maria Santissima dei Poveri is a Romanesque Revival church with solid brick walls and high arches, designed by architect Carmelo Umberto Angiolini and built between 1922 and 1933. The building sits on Corso Barlam and serves today as a place of worship and a destination for visitors from across the region.
A church stood on this site as early as 1325, but was destroyed by the 1783 earthquake and subsequently rebuilt. Following the devastating 1908 earthquake, the current basilica was constructed as a new building to provide the community with a stable place of worship.
The basilica is the focal point of the Madonna dei Poveri pilgrimage tradition, where the faithful gather each August 14 to process through the city streets and express their devotion to the Virgin Mother.
The building is easily reached from Corso Barlam and welcomes visitors and pilgrims throughout the year. It is helpful to plan your route in advance to confirm opening times and any religious services that may affect access to the interior.
The church went through several name changes in its long history, starting as the Parish of Santa Maria degli Arangi and later becoming the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Immacolata Concezione, reflecting its shifting importance to the community.
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