🏠 Holy House of Loreto
Italy
About This Sacred Site
The Basilica della Santa Casa in Loreto houses what tradition claims is the Holy House of the Virgin Mary, the actual house from Nazareth where the Annunciation occurred. According to legend, angels transported the house from Nazareth to Loreto in 1294 to save it from destruction. The modest stone structure is now encased in an ornate marble screen designed by Bramante. Loreto has been one of Catholicism's most important pilgrimage sites for over 700 years and is the patron shrine of aviators, due to the tradition of the house's aerial transport.
Key Facts
- •Tradition holds that angels flew the Holy House from Nazareth to Loreto in 1294
- •The Holy House is patron of aviators due to the legend of its flight
- •The marble casing around the house was designed by Bramante
- •Archaeological analysis confirms the stones are consistent with materials from Nazareth
- •The shrine is the most visited Marian pilgrimage site in Italy
Location
Coordinates: 43.4407, 13.6084
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