Santuario di San Rocco, Catholic shrine in Roccamontepiano, Italy
The Santuario di San Rocco is a shrine featuring three identical portals that lead to three naves inside. The building is clad in white travertine combined with local pietra riccia stone and incorporates salvaged materials from earlier structures.
A devastating landslide destroyed the original Baroque church in 1765, forcing a complete reconstruction decades later. The present structure was rebuilt during the 1950s using salvaged materials from the previous building.
Thousands of visitors come to the sanctuary on August 16 to gather water from a sacred spring believed to have healing powers. This annual gathering reflects how deeply Saint Rocco's veneration remains woven into local religious practice.
An underground passage beneath the sanctuary leads to a miraculous grotto where visitors can experience the quietness of a sacred space. A Via Crucis pathway runs alongside the rocky slopes surrounding the building, offering a meditative walk with views across the landscape.
Frescoes painted by local artists decorate the sanctuary walls, depicting scenes from the saint's life. During celebrations, handmade ceramic jugs decorated with images of the saint are produced and sold as souvenirs and devotional objects.
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