DESTINATION
LORETO
Loreto
A Christian pilgrimage destination
The Holy House of Mary stands tall on the top of the hill with the city. Not only one of the main pilgrimage destinations in the world, but also a town with a view of the entire Riviera.
The town of Loreto, located on a hilltop, attracts thousands of Catholic pilgrims and visitors every year.
The city holds one of the most important treasures of Christianity: the Holy House of Mary of Nazareth, where Mary grew up and received the Annunciation.
Tradition has it that the Holy House was flown in from Palestine to Loreto by four angels and was rested upon the hill where it stands today in the Sanctuary. The Holy House hosts the precious statue of Madonna carved in Lebanese cedar which gives it its famous dark color.
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ARTISTIC TREASURES
Loreto is an artistic town with an immense cultural heritage. We suggest you visit the sixteenth-century Shrine of the Holy House (which hosts artwork by famous Italian painters such as Bramante and Sansovino), the Basilica (a defense fortress characterized by a patrol path system), and the “Palazzo Apostolico” (host to a great art gallery which exhibits masterpieces by artists such as Lorenzo Lotto and Pomarancio).
Leaving “Piazza del Santuario” square, you can take a stroll through one of the many ancient streets and visit the typical boutiques, or stop and have a bite in a local restaurant.
Cammini Lauretani camminilauretani.eu
Loreto Tour
- Piazza della Madonna Famous town square, artistic and religious centre. The square includes the Maggiore Fountain, the statue of Sixtus V, the Apostolic Palace, the bell tower by Vanvitelli and the imposing Basilica built by Giuliano da Maiano with vaults added by Giuliano San Gallo in the 1500s and façade 13 designed by Giovanni Boccalini in 1571.
- Santuario della Santa Casa di Loreto One of the main places of Marian worship in the world. Underneath the lar- ge dome inside, the Holy House of Nazareth where Jesus lived, is preserved. The Virgin of Loreto is the patron saint of aviation and the city.
- Sala del Tesoro Also called Pomarancio, for the frescoes by the same artist. The hall was built to preserve the ex-votos of inestimable value
- Patrol Walkaway The apses open from Piazzale Lotto, with the famous patrol walkways. Daily guided tours. Info: 071 977748.
- Holy Stairs Connects the Loreto Station to the historic centre. A spiritual pathway with 400 steps and the Rosary Mysteries along the way. Once you reach the top at Porta Marina, you’ll enjoy a unique panorama over the Riviera.
- POLISH CEMETERY Reachable from the Holy Stairs, it is one of the largest Polish cemeteries in Italy with 1,080 graves.
- PONTIFICAL MUSEUM OF THE HOLY HOUSE It conserves paintings by Lorenzo Lotto, Pomarancio, Vouet, Raphaelesque tapestries and pharmacy ceramics. Info: 071 9747198.
- POPE JOHN XXII STATUE
- Corso Boccalini
- TOWN HALL With the Civic Tower and a Garibaldi half-bust
- MUNICIPALITY BASTION
- Piazza dei Galli With the renowned foun- tain built by Antonio M. Gallo.
- Town Walls Dating back to 1520
Useful contacts
- Ufficio Informazione e Accoglienza Turistica Loreto
via Solari, 3 - 60025 Loreto (AN)
+39 071970276, 71970020 - iat.loreto@regione.marche.it - Pro Loco e Accoglienza Turistica Loreto
Corso Boccalini, 67 - 60025 Loreto (AN)
071 977748 - info@prolocoloreto.com - Cammini Lauretani
Organizzazione pellegrinaggi verso la Santa Casa di Maria di Loreto
+39 0733 1992939 - www.camminilauretani.eu - Museo pontificio Santa casa Loreto
Pinacoteca nel palazzo apostolico adiacente la basilica
+39 071 9747198 - museopontificio.santuarioloreto.it/
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