Basilica Ave Gratia Plena, Minor basilica in Torre Annunziata, Italy.
The Ave Gratia Plena Basilica is a church with a single broad nave covered by a barrel vault, featuring side chapels decorated with ornate stucco ornaments. The interior displays carefully crafted decorative elements that express the religious purpose of the space.
The building was constructed in 1319 by Prince Nicolò d'Alagno under the name Church of the Annunciation, receiving its basilica status nearly 660 years later in 1979. This elevation reflected the deepening spiritual significance the place held for its community.
The Madonna depicted as "Full of Grace" has been the spiritual heart of this church for centuries and shapes how locals connect with their faith today. The place remains a focal point where people come to express their devotion.
The basilica is located on Piazza Giovanni XXIII in the Annunziata district and is easy to access on foot. Keep in mind that this is an active place of worship, so respectful behavior and modest dress are expected from visitors.
Local fishermen discovered a sacred Madonna icon in the waters offshore in 1354, an event that quickly became the story defining this place. The discovery narrative remains central to how people today understand and relate to the basilica.
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