Santuario di Santa Maria di Vena, Catholic shrine in Vena, Italy
Santuario di Santa Maria di Vena is a Catholic shrine located at approximately 735 meters elevation on the eastern slope of Mount Etna, surrounded by oak and chestnut forests. The site contains a wooden icon made of cedar wood and a natural spring source that remains accessible to visitors.
The sanctuary was established in ancient times and later became an important religious center for pilgrims in the region. Over the centuries, it underwent various renovations to protect the structures from the harsh mountain environment.
The shrine serves as a place of Marian devotion where visitors and locals come to pray and drink from the spring water that communities have used for generations. The chapel itself functions as a quiet destination for personal reflection, particularly for people living in the surrounding areas.
Visits are possible year-round, with the route passing through natural forest that is easily walkable on foot. Bring comfortable shoes and prepare for mountain conditions at this elevation.
Local legend tells that a mule carrying a sacred icon struck the ground with its hooves and caused a spring to emerge. This event reportedly gave the place its name Vena, which refers to the water vein that appeared.
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