Loreto

Mystical City

Loreto is the place where the house of the mother of Jesus, Mary, lives, brought here in flight by the Angels according to the ancient narration.
The imposing cathedral, home of the famous Black Madonna of Loreto, was built around the largest relic in the world.
Among the great proponents of the sacred building we find high-sounding names such as Bramante and Sansovino.

Since the fourteenth century Loreto has been a destination for pilgrimages from all over the world and the physical signs of the devout knees of the faithful are still visible, profound and full of suggestion as they testify to a strong introspection and a sense of profound devotion.

The majestic dome of the cathedral is visible from great distances, lying on the Loreto hill full of olive trees, vines, wheat, as if to testify autonomy and well-being for a long time.

Via dei Coronari and District of the Silversmiths

Thanks to the influx of pilgrims here has developed – since ancient times – a know-how linked to the production of sacred objects then integrated by metal workings with particular reference to silver which has favored the birth of the < strong>district of silversmiths which also includes neighboring towns such as Castelfidardo and Recanati.

You will still find the old artisan shops in the very central Via dei Coronari.

The rosary crown which bears witness to the historical devotion to the Marian cult almost endemic by birth in these parts.

Today pilgrims reach four million visitors a year and among the illustrious predecessors are Galileo Galilei, Alfieri, Casanova.
There is also news that Mozart bought a statue of the Madonna as a souvenir for his mother who explicitly requested it.

Loreto, between faith and bulwarks

Loreto is a citadel of faith also equipped with defensive bulwarks – which can still be traveled on today via the patrol walkway – to defend against the constant incursions of Saracen pirates. Several times the sacred relics of the Holy House were hidden in inland curiae precisely to avoid theft by infidels.

Loreto also holds other artistic treasures such as those kept in the Apostolic Palace of which the works of Lorenzo Lotto and Pomarancio speak for everyone.
Very suggestive also the alternative route to reach the Basilica via the 400 steps which – according to tradition – >purify the body and above all the spirit.