Free Time

Pilgrimages

Loreto

Less than an hour away, the striking hill town of Loreto is one of the world's most important shrines to the Virgin Mary. The great dome of the Sanctuario della Santa Casa dominates the countryside for miles around; below this stands the rustic cottage from Nazareth that witnessed the Annunciation and the childhood of Jesus and was "acquired" and brought it here in 1294.

In the middle ages the church started work on the cathedral and many of the most celebrated names of Late Renaissance Italy were involved, giving the unbeliever good reason to come here. Started on Gothic lines, later architects including Bramante and Sansovino gave the church a thorough Late Renaissance treatment.

Assisi

Drive through the Appenines just over an hour and you reach Assisi with its awesome basilica and cathedral that dominate the landscape for miles around. The town was founded by Umbrians 500bc and taken over by the Romans, much of the towns rich artistic, cultural & religious history remain on show to the many visitors that travel here each year.

San Liberato

Saint Francis of Assisi, spent a couple of years in Sarnano, and the convent in the hills outside Sarnano houses the bodies of one of his followers Saint Liberato amongst others.

Madonna Dell'Ambro

The sanctuary and monastery 20 minutes away, near Montefortino, was built as a place of worship on the site where a poor shepherdess saw a vision of the Virgin Mary.

Tolentino

Saint Nicola is buried in the 13th century basilica at Tolentino which houses a group of frescoes documenting the life of Christ, his mother Mary and of Saint Nicola.

San Ginesio

Built in sandstone in a gothic style hospital of Saint Paul at san Ginesio was used by pilgrims travelling the road between Loreto and Rome.

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