Santuario Maria Santissima dello Splendore, Marian shrine in Giulianova, Italy.
The Santuario Maria Santissima dello Splendore is a shrine located on a hilltop at the northern edge of Giulianova with a single-nave basilica featuring travertine walls and marble altars. The church houses several artistic works and a sacred water source positioned near the main altar.
The site originated in 1557 when a farmer named Bertolino reported seeing the Virgin Mary amid bright light in an olive tree. This sighting led to the construction of the sanctuary, which became an important religious center for the region.
The shrine serves as a pilgrimage destination where locals come to pray quietly and light candles before the Madonna statue. Visitors often pause in front of the sanctuary's main icons to make personal requests or offer thanks.
The shrine is open to visitors during regular hours and sits on top of a hill with good views across the surroundings. Visitors should expect stairs and a gradual climb to reach the building.
The interior holds a 15th-century wooden statue of the Madonna carved and painted in multiple colors, one of the shrine's oldest artworks. The sacristy also preserves a rare Renaissance-era painting that reflects the artistic craftsmanship of that period.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
