Santa Maria delle Stelle, Minor basilica in Comiso, Italy
Santa Maria delle Stelle is a basilica in Comiso with fifteen altars arranged throughout its interior space. The main altar is dedicated to the birth of Mary and features detailed religious artworks that draw the eye.
Construction began in the 14th century, but a major earthquake in 1693 forced a complete rebuilding. The work was not finished until 1936 after centuries of ongoing restoration efforts.
The wooden ceiling displays scenes from the Bible, carved with intricate detail by local craftsmen who brought religious stories to life in wood. This artistic work connects faith with the skilled traditions that the community has valued for generations.
The basilica sits in central Comiso and welcomes visitors year-round, though access is easiest during times when public worship takes place. Check locally for when the doors are open to the public for viewing.
This building rises on elevated ground above a natural spring that flows beneath it, standing on what was once the site of an ancient shrine. This layering of different sacred spaces across time makes the location spiritually rich in ways that are not immediately obvious.
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