Montevergine

Montevergine is a limestone summit in the Province of Avellino that rises to about 1,500 meters with slopes covered in chestnut and beech forests. The mountain holds an ancient sanctuary that sits at different elevations across this mountainous region of Campania.

The mountain was founded in 1119 by William of Vercelli, who established a sanctuary that grew into a major religious center. Over the following centuries, multiple monasteries developed under its administration, strengthening its importance across the region.

The sanctuary houses a Byzantine icon of the Black Madonna that has drawn pilgrims for centuries and remains central to the place's spiritual identity. Visitors come year-round to pray in this pilgrimage site and experience the devotional character that shapes daily life here.

A cable car connects the town of Mercogliano to the mountain and brings visitors up to the sanctuary at about 1,300 meters elevation. The area is mountainous with variable weather, so appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes are recommended, especially outside the warmer months.

Between 1939 and 1946, the sanctuary served as a secret storage location for the Shroud of Turin, protecting it from potential seizure during World War II. This hidden role made the location an unexpected refuge for one of Christianity's most sacred objects.