For almost nine centuries, the abbey of Montevergine has been the best known and venerated Marian shrine of Campania, a place of pilgrimage; it is located on the mountain massif of the Partenio at 1270 meters, and it dominates the city of Avellino and the wide valley of River Sabato.
SITE: The green Irpinia … land of uncontaminated nature: Montevergine
DURATION: Half day
ENTRANCE: The Abbey Museum (2 euros), Mercogliano-Santuario funicular (full 8 euros return, reduced 5 euros return) AC
DISABLED CESSABILITY: YES
OTHER COMPATIBLE ITINERARIES: Cima di Montevergine, Gesualdo, Benevento
From the mountain tops you can enjoy spectacular views, reaching as far as Mount Vesuvius and the Lattari Mountains of the Amalfi coast, and also the Picentini mountains.
Its religious importance was such that until the 30s of last century, in marriage contracts it was expressly indicated that the groom should lead the bride to the shrine immediately after the wedding dinner.
You must absolutely visit the new grandiose basilica in modernized Romanesque style, which in its dignified simplicity and purity of architectural lines, is a true monument of faith and art!
At the end of the central aisle stands the monumental throne, where there is the beautiful image of the Madonna Schiavona, the 13th century painting of Byzantine style donated to the sanctuary by the Queen of England, Catherine of Valois.
From there you may reach the Ancient Basilica which, although remodeled, retains a Gothic structure of the first half of the century. XVII, with three naves on pillars. Remarkable is the high altar rich in mosaics, mother-of-pearl, lapis lazuli and other precious ornaments. The chapels are very interesting and rich in marble and funeral monuments: the Chapel of Schiazione, the Chapel of the Santissimo, the former Chapel of the Madonna or of the Crucifix.