Saint Rita Basilica, Minor basilica and shrine in Cascia, Italy.

Saint Rita Basilica is a shrine in Cascia featuring a white travertine facade from Tivoli, designed in a centralized layout shaped like a Greek cross. The interior combines modern architecture with artistic elements, creating a space where pilgrims come to honor the saint.

In the early 20th century, growing pilgrim numbers made the old church inadequate, so Abbess Maria Teresa Fasce promoted a new building, funded by the journal Dalle Api alle Rose and donations from Popes Benedict XV and Pius XI. After Armando Brasini's costly 1931 plan was scaled back, Spirito Maria Chiappetta drew the revised design. Cardinal Enrico Gasparri laid the foundation stone on 20 June 1937; the church was consecrated on 18 May 1947 and became a minor basilica in 1955.

The wooden portal is framed by columns carved with bas-reliefs by Eros Pellini showing Rita teaching her children to pray, the death of her husband, her entry into the monastery and the winter roses and figs. Inside, Luigi Montanarini's neo-Byzantine painting covers about 300 square metres from the dome down the lantern, sails and four pillars, with Augustine saints in the sails.

The shrine is accessible during regular visiting hours year-round and welcomes pilgrims coming to venerate the relics of Saint Rita. Plan ahead to make the most of your visit and respect the spiritual nature of the space.

The main altar was created by Giacomo Manzù, a renowned Italian sculptor known for his modern religious works. This altar piece demonstrates the skill of an artist who brought contemporary techniques to sacred art.