The Sanctuary of Maria SS. Addolorata è undoubtedly one of the icons of Castelpetroso, a treasure chest of devotion and art that shines in the enchanting Molise landscape. This majestic shrine, situated on the slopes of Mount Patalecchia, dominates the outline of the village with its grandeur.
Built in a neo-Gothic style evocative of the great cathedrals of Northern Europe, the Minor Basilica of Castelpetroso represents a rare example of this architectural style in Italy. Its pointed towers and graceful spires draw an unmistakable profile that stands out against the sky.
Indoors, the shrine opens in a triumph of luminous mosaics and stained glass windows that cast a kaleidoscope of light on the floor and walls of the wide nave. Here, one’s attention is immediately captured by the central altar on which towers the image of the Virgin Mary of Sorrows, the subject of intense and heartfelt veneration by pilgrims.
The Shrine is a place of worship for pilgrims.
The shrine è also famous for the Grotto of Apparitions, a sacred site commemorating the Marian apparitions that occurred in Castelpetroso in the late 19th century. The bronze statue of Our Lady, depicting one of these apparitions, è is strikingly beautiful and is an exciting focus for visitors’ faith.
Every element of the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows – from its architecture to its history, from its scenic location to the intense spirituality that permeates it – contributes to creating an atmosphere of peace and contemplation, making each visit a unique and unforgettable experience. A visit to this sacred place will leave you with a deep trace, a memory of Castelpetroso that you will carry with you long after you return home.
info@santuarioaddolorata.it