Santuario di Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Catholic shrine in Andria, Italy.
The Sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Miracoli in Andria is a religious complex built in three separate levels: a rock church, a 16th-century temple, and an 18th-century upper church. Each level reflects how the site grew and developed across different periods.
The sanctuary originated from the discovery of a Byzantine icon of the Madonna and Child on March 10, 1576, found in an ancient Basilian monastery. The site expanded over centuries as pilgrim numbers increased, with new levels added to accommodate worshippers.
The sanctuary displays a revered image of the Madonna with Child crowned with twelve stars and flanked by sun and moon symbols. This image forms the spiritual focus that draws pilgrims to the site.
Guided tours take visitors through the three church levels, allowing exploration of the different architectural styles in each section. Regular religious services are held throughout the year in the main basilica.
In 1855, the city credited its survival from a cholera epidemic to protection from the sanctuary, leading residents to donate gold crowns for the Madonna and Child statues. These crowns remain visible today as a testament to the community's gratitude.
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