Santuario di Maria Santissima del Lattani, Minor basilica and sanctuary in Roccamonfina, Italy.
The sanctuary of Maria Santissima dei Lattani is a minor basilica with a single nave divided into bays by pillars supporting a lowered pointed rib vault. The church facade, preceded by a large round-arched portico, preserves the original wooden door of 1507. Inside, the chapel on the left dedicated to the Vergine dei Lattani has a frescoed dome and houses a statue of the Madonna and Child in basaltic stone covered with polychrome paint, possibly dating from the 9th century.
Two Franciscan friars, Bernardino and James, established the sanctuary in 1430 after finding a statue of the Virgin Mary in a nearby cave. This discovery led to the development of the site as a center for religious devotion.
The rectangular cloister has two levels of pointed arches on small columns of varying shapes. Its 17th-century frescoes were painted by Father Tommaso di Nola, and the refectory opens onto the cloister.
The complex includes a courtyard and Franciscan monastery with visitor amenities for those coming to worship or explore the grounds. Regular services are held throughout the week, so plan your visit accordingly if you wish to attend.
The courtyard holds two stone fountains: a plain one and a 15th-century fountain that was decorated in 1961 with a polychrome ceramic panel. The church facade keeps its original wooden door from 1507, set behind a large round-arched portico.
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