The Holy House of Loreto: a journey through faith, art and mystery

In the heart of the Marche region, a few kilometres from the Adriatic coast, the Basilica stands out among the hills, home to one of the most venerated shrines in Christianity: the Holy House (la “Santa Casa”) of Loreto. It is here, in this city, that the walls of the house where the Virgin Mary received the Annunciation, a central event in the Catholic faith, are preserved. According to legend, the sacred dwelling was miraculously transported here from Nazareth in 1291 to protect it from the wars in the Holy Land, after a stop in Dalmatia (in Tersatto, now a district of the city of Rijeka in Croatia). Millions of pilgrims have been coming here for centuries, and today all kinds of visitors come to enjoy the many attractions of a place that is unique in the world for its history, art, beauty and devotion.

The Basilica that now houses the Holy House is a true Renaissance masterpiece: its construction began in 1469 and has been enriched over the centuries by great artists and architects. Among these, illustrious names stand out, such as Bramante, who designed the majestic dome, and Sansovino, creator of the magnificent façade that dominates the village skyline. Inside, the Holy House is enveloped in a refined marble covering sculpted by masters of the calibre of Donatello, Bandinelli and other leading figures of Renaissance art, who protect it like a precious treasure chest and bear witness to the art and devotion of a unique era. Outside, in the square, the ‘Madonnari’, street artists, attract attention with their works.

However, visiting Loreto is not just about admiring the Basilica della Santa Casa and its artistic masterpieces or the refined architecture of the nearby Apostolic Palace and Fontana Maggiore, but also about breathing in the atmosphere of a magical place famous throughout the world, enjoying an experience of beauty, rich in local traditions and curiosities. Loreto is also an enchanting village, offering picturesque views and spectacular panoramas of the Adriatic Sea and the Marche hinterland. Imposing walls surround the old town, with four watchtowers, including the Torrione Rotondo, where, in homage to the Madonna of Loreto, patron saint and protector of aviators, an aircraft belonging to the Frecce Tricolori, the famous Italian Air Force aerobatic team, is on display. In the centre, after a stroll along the elegant Corso Traiano Boccalini, it is a pleasure to lose yourself in the narrow streets of the village and reach the Porta Marina to admire a wonderful view of the Adriatic Sea, Monte Conero, the villages and the surrounding countryside: the perfect place to take beautiful photos, even more evocative at sunset. The culinary tradition is also, of course, a highlight of this unmissable destination in the Marche region, with typical dishes that celebrate local flavours, authentic recipes from land and sea, accompanied by excellent wines from the cellars of this generous hilly territory. Loreto: simply unforgettable.