In 1888, two Italian shepherdesses based in the small medieval village of Castelpetroso were tending to their flock when they noticed that two sheep were missing. The shepherdesses searched the surrounding hills until after dark without locating their wayward sheep. Just when they were about to head home, a glowing apparition materialized near the hillside. Initially skeptical, the shepherdesses soon realized they were witnessing a spectral Virgin Mary, cradling a wounded Christ in her arms.
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Once the shepherdesses announced the Virgin Mary’s appearance, the spot where she materialized became a site of Christian pilgrimage. A small spring even erupted nearby, rumored to have curative powers. In 1890, church authorities decided to build a shrine to the Virgin Mary known as Basilica Santuario di Maria Santissima Addolorata. Construction of the basilica was completed in the 1970s.
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The exterior of the Basilica Santuario di Maria Santissima Addolorata resembles the facade of an enchanted castle, with towering spires and dual bell towers adorned with clocks. Inside, the basilica features several likenesses of the Virgin Mary with a mortally wounded Jesus Christ in her arms or draped at her feet. Christian pilgrims light candles and adorn statues of the Virgin with fresh flowers, offering prayers to her.
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Castelpetroso is also home to a castle that has been converted into a museum housing authentic regional artifacts, such as old photographs, farming tools, and clothing. The collection of Museo della Civilta Contadina is continually expanding. Students and residents of Castelpetroso regularly donate items passed down for generations, helping to preserve the regional culture. Every item on display at Museo della Civilta Contadina is carefully cataloged and presented, offering an accurate and captivating snapshot of life in Castelpetroso through the centuries.
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Castelpetroso boasts a unique shrine to the Virgin Mary, allowing visitors to experience the mystical aura of better-known pilgrimage sites like Lourdes, but without the large crowds. Regardless of religious beliefs, seeing the whimsical exterior of Basilica Santuario di Maria Santissima Addolorata, framed by a verdant hill dotted with evergreen trees, will make you feel as though you have stepped into the pages of a fairy tale. Many Italians consider Castelpetroso to be a serene hidden gem that is well worth exploring.