2 km from the town, on a slightly undulated level, is the Sanctuary of Madonna dei Miracoli (Virgin Mary of the Miracles), a place of worship and devotion to our Lady since 1576. It is characterized by the overlapping of three extremely elegant churches, whose high altars correspond perpendicularly. The first temple, which contains the ancient original Byzantine crypt where the image of the Virgin Mary was found, preserves on the altar the Virgin Mary’s fresco that inspired people’s devotion.
From here it is possible to access, through a princely staircase, to the second Church, called “Crucifixion” church. It already existed in 1606, when the Benedictine monks were entrusted to build the sanctuary and the monastery. It has a square plan with one nave and two aisles. Four robust columns support the vault. The external walls are entirely painted with frescos. Above the plaster altar is a big fresco representing the Crucifixion, while on the lower part is the Deposition. The façade, built with stones, goes down along the valley and covers the cave façade.
This second church soon resulted to be insufficient to the many pilgrims’ needs. This is how the basilica was built, which is connected to the two buildings underneath by internal staircases. It rises on a wide square, and through three doors located under an arcade it is possible to enter inside. With one nave and two aisles, it is illuminated by thirteen big windows which make it leaner and brighter. Along the lateral aisles there are six altars of prestigious marble.
A Brief History:
In January 1580 Pope Gregory XIII ratified the arrival of the Benedictines in Andria, who started building the Sanctuary dedicated to Santa Maria dei Miracoli. In 1606 the works in the Church of the Crucifix started; in 1620 the basilica started to be built by architect Cosimo Fanzago from Naples. After the order was expelled, the Sanctuary kept close and abandoned for a long time. In 1837 the Augustinian Fathers of Naples took possess of the Sanctuary bringing it back to its ancient splendour also thanks to the donations of Andria population.
Main Works:
The majestic white marble banister was made in 1757. It defines the presbytery, at the end of which the precious 16th -century altar rises up. The altar comes from the Monastery of the Benedictine nuns. The beautifully-carved and gold orchestra was made in 1614. An organ leans on it, with its pipes covered by a canvas representing the Vergine dei Miracoli (Virgin Mary of the Miracles). On the lateral walls, two big canvases by D. Elia (1757) represent the Nativity of the Holy Virgin Mary and Jesus.
Style:
Fanzago’s basilica has one nave and two aisles; the central nave is higher and illuminated by thirteen big windows.
The lateral aisles can be accessed from twelve semi-circular arches, supported by fourteen columns with Corinthian capitals. Here are six marble altars; two of them are located in big chapels. At the end of the lateral aisles, two staircases lead to the cave through a richly-decorated pediment. The wooden-coffered ceiling ends with a big dome above the choir. The façade arcade and the bell tower, commissioned by Finelli, date back to the 17th century.
Sources: By the editorial staff Updated on: 09/09/2011
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.
Regione Puglia
Regione Puglia