Santuario della Madonna dell'Altomare, Catholic shrine in Andria, Italy
The Santuario della Madonna dell'Altomare is a church built within a cavity carved into tuff stone, featuring a single nave with ancient architectural elements set into its walls. The interior is fully integrated into the natural rock formation and shows traces of construction from different periods.
The sanctuary originated from a 1598 event when a girl who fell into a water cistern survived three days submerged and attributed her rescue to a painted image of the Virgin Mary on the cistern wall. This occurrence sparked the development of the site as a pilgrimage destination and led to the construction of the current structure.
The sanctuary houses the sculpture 'La Pietà dell'Altomare' by Luigi Enzo Mattei, recognized by UNESCO as 'Heritage for a Culture of Peace'. This artwork serves as a spiritual symbol for those who visit to pray and reflect.
The sanctuary is located at Piazza Altomare and welcomes visitors daily for prayer and religious observances. Guests should plan their visit around the active worship schedule, as the site is primarily used for pilgrimage and devotion.
Excavations beneath the sanctuary uncovered Roman-era remains, including three pillar foundations and sections of ancient pavement. These archaeological discoveries suggest the site held significance long before it became known as a pilgrimage destination.
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