Sanctuary of Montevergine, Marian shrine in Mercogliano, Italy.
The Sanctuary of Montevergine is a Marian shrine in Mercogliano, Italy, located at 1270 meters (4167 feet) on Monte Partenio. The complex includes a new basilica completed in 1961 and an older church with Gothic features from the medieval period.
William of Vercelli founded the abbey in 1124 near the ruins of a temple dedicated to the goddess Cybele. The foundation marked the beginning of monastic life on the mountain and soon attracted monks and pilgrims.
The shrine houses a Byzantine icon from the 13th century known as the Madonna di Montevergine, drawing pilgrims from across Italy. About one and a half million visitors come each year to pray before the sacred image and attend services.
A cable car connects Mercogliano with the sanctuary, making the ascent easier for visitors. Services are held daily at 8:30, 10:00, 12:00, and 17:00, and worshippers are welcome to attend.
During the Second World War, the Turin Shroud was secretly hidden in the sanctuary to protect it from damage. King Victor Emmanuel III visited the site in 1944 to check on the relic's condition.
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