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All Italy Castel Sant'Elia Pontificio Santuario Maria SS "ad Rupes" (Pontifical Sanctuary of Maria SS. ad Rupes)

Pontificio Santuario Maria SS "ad Rupes" (Pontifical Sanctuary of Maria SS. ad Rupes)

A monk spent 14 years carving steps through tuff to make this religious site more accessible to pilgrims.

Castel Sant'Elia, Italy

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Jan Claus Di Blasio
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The cliffs by the sanctuary. The entrance to the steps is located behind the trees.   CRoberto68
The revered icon of the Virgin.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The steps that were carved in the rock by the local hermit.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
Castel Sant’Elia seen from the sanctuary.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The façade designed by B. Doebbing showing Fra’ Giuseppe   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
The entrance to the steps.   LatiumMirabile / Atlas Obscura User
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In 1777 Friar Giuseppe Andrea Rodio, a local hermit, decided to excavate a tunnel and construct 144 steps through the rocky cliffside to access a grotto known as the Virgin "Ad Rupes." Inside the cave is a painting of the Virgin Mary with a rare depiction of baby Jesus lying asleep on her knees. It took the friar almost 14 years to complete the incredible task. There are several other relics inside the cave as well. 

The site dates back to the 5th-century and perhaps to the very first Christians in the region. It's believed Benedictine monks established themselves in the natural caves and centuries laters, followers of the order constructed the Basilica of S. Elia. The Benedictine monks abandoned the monastery and basilica during the 13th century and it was only with the arrival of Friar Giuseppe that the site's popularity was restored.

The sanctuary became the property of the Holy See in 1912 and is currently run by the Michaelite father (Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel). The present Basilica was constructed between 1908 and 1910 and was dedicated to Saint Joseph.

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Relics And Reliquaries Religion Monks Churches Sacred Spaces

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Check the website for hours and information on how to access the grotto. 

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LatiumMirabile

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spambledeggs

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Published

May 11, 2020

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Pontificio Santuario Maria SS "ad Rupes" (Pontifical Sanctuary of Maria SS. ad Rupes)
2 Piazza Cardinal Gasparri
Castel Sant'Elia, 01030
Italy
42.248801, 12.375986
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Nearby Places

Basilica di Sant'Elia

Castel Sant'Elia, Italy

miles away

Calcata

Calcata Vecchia, Italy

miles away

Hermitage of Saint Sylvester

Rome, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Castel Sant'Elia

Castel Sant'Elia

Italy

Places 2

Nearby Places

Basilica di Sant'Elia

Castel Sant'Elia, Italy

miles away

Calcata

Calcata Vecchia, Italy

miles away

Hermitage of Saint Sylvester

Rome, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Castel Sant'Elia

Castel Sant'Elia

Italy

Places 2

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