Loreto Mystical Beliefs

76km from Camping Fano

The beautiful city of Loreto hosts the famous Reneissance Cathedral with the statue of the Black Madonna of Loreto. Several researches about the Holy House date its origins to Palestine both for the architectural style and the materials used which at that time were unknown in the Marche region but widely used in the Holy Land.

The city of Loreto, has grown around the famous Basilica which hosts the Shrine of the Holy House where the Virgin Mary received the annunciation that she would bear the child Jesus. The Catholic tradition states that, threatened with destruction by the Turks, the house was carried by angels through the air and finally deposited in Loreto on December 10 1294. For this reason the Madonna of Loreto was declared “Patron of the aeronauts” by Pope Benedict XV. Several researches about the Holy House date its origins to Palestine both for the architectural style and the materials used which at that time were unknown in the Marche region but widely used in the Holy Land. The house size as well supports this theory as it matches the empty space in Nazareth.

The Basilica, a notable Reneissance architectural complex was built in 1468 with the contribution of some of the most famous architects of the time. The interior has the shape of a latin cross with three ailes. In the left aile there is a bronze font by Tiburzio Vergelli. The vault was frescoed by Pomarancio. The ascetic and reflective sibyls by Giovan Battista Della Porta dominate the facades. Under the dome by Giuliano da Sangallo there is the Holy House, a small building consisting of only three walls as the eastern wall where the altar is situated did not exist originally in Nazareth. Around the house is a tall marble screen designed by Bramante. The two parallel grooves that can be seen in the base have been produced by the pilgrims that for centuries have walked the perimeter on their knees.

The Pinacoteca Museum at the Apostolico Palace is also worth visiting for its Lorenzo Lotto’s canvas. Last but not least you can finish your tour by admiring the amazing view of the apsis in Piazzale Loreto and the scenery from Piazza Giovanni XXIII and take a walk on Corso Boccalini for some shopping.