Madonna delle Grazie, Minor basilica in Benevento, Italy
Madonna delle Grazie is a neoclassical shrine in Benevento featuring a geometric layout inspired by ancient temples. Six robust columns at the front create a sheltered entryway that leads into the main worship space inside.
Construction started in 1837 when a cholera outbreak threatened the city, with residents hoping for divine protection. The building was not completed and officially blessed until 1901, more than half a century later.
Inside, visitors find a wooden sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding the Child, carved during the 1500s by a skilled artisan from the area. This religious figure remains central to worship here and draws the attention of art lovers who visit.
The sheltered columns at the entrance provide protection while arriving, regardless of weather conditions. Once inside, you can move freely through the space and observe both the artworks and the interior proportions at your own pace.
Two large pipe organs were installed decades apart in the 1950s and 1970s, adding layers of sound to services. These instruments bring an unexpected musical dimension to what visitors might assume is just an architectural space.
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