Sanctuary of San Ventura: History and Devotion of an Umbrian Martyr

A journey into the history and popular devotion of Umbria leads us to the Sanctuary of San Ventura, a place that for centuries was the beating heart of faith and a pilgrimage destination for the faithful of the Val Petrina, near Città di Castello. This place, now privately owned and no longer accessible, holds a compelling story of martyrdom, miracles, and a popular devotion so intense that it required the presence of soldiers to maintain public order during the festivals.

History and Origins of the Sanctuary

The history of the sanctuary begins in 1250, when the priest Ventura, rector of the parish church of San Bartolomeo located in a forest near Villa Centoia, suffered a tragic martyrdom. A man of deep faith, Ventura lived with exemplary devotion and zeal, not hesitating to correct sinners to lead them on the right path.

Tradition recounts that one day, a mule driver intent on cutting wood in the nearby forest was blaspheming horribly. The courageous priest firmly rebuked him, but the man, blinded by pride, reacted by striking him with an axe, causing his death. To hide his crime, the perpetrator concealed the body under a pile of stones.

The miraculous discovery of the body occurred thanks to a white dove that, for many consecutive days, perched on the church bell, ringing it as if for a deceased person, before flying towards the pile of stones. This celestial sign prompted the local inhabitants to investigate, leading to the discovery of the martyr’s remains.

From that moment, the church changed its dedication from San Bartolomeo to San Ventura, becoming an important center of worship for over four hundred years. The saint’s bones were buried in a raised monument next to the altar, where they remained venerated until July 18, 1684, when by order of the diocesan bishop they were transferred to the church of San Girolamo del Seminario in Città di Castello.

Traditions and Festivities

Despite the translation of the relics, the popular devotion to San Ventura did not diminish. The community of Val Petrina, deeply grieved by the loss of their protector, continued to celebrate the saint’s feast with great fervor.

Every year, on the first Sunday of September, a solemn procession was held accompanied by a large fair. The influx of devotees was so considerable that, for reasons of public order, the presence of soldiers was often necessary. In 1691, the Guard was even extended to the roads adjacent to the festival site, a testament to the vastness of popular participation.

A particularly touching tradition was that of bringing nursing infants to the saint’s tomb on the day of his feast, to implore health or preservation from “fractures.” This custom arose from San Ventura’s thaumaturgical fame, as he was considered a special protector against bone fractures.

The Cult and the Miracles

San Ventura was venerated as a powerful intercessor, especially for those suffering from cracks or fractures. Ancient chronicles tell of a man who, having carried the saint’s body for burial, suffered a fracture. By faithfully resorting to Ventura’s intercession, he obtained complete healing, a miracle that further consolidated his fame as a miracle worker.

The cult of the saint martyr has unfortunately greatly diminished over time, both in the church of San Girolamo del Seminario and in that of San Vito e Modesto in Val Petrina, not far from the original sanctuary.

A Pilgrimage into History

Visiting the places associated with San Ventura means undertaking a pilgrimage into the memory of a centuries-old devotion. Although the original sanctuary is no longer accessible to the public, the area of Val Petrina retains the charm of those Umbrian places where history and faith are inextricably intertwined.

For visitors interested in discovering this page of Umbrian religious history, it is possible to:

• Explore the surroundings of **Città di Castello**, rich in historical testimonies

• Visit the church of **San Girolamo del Seminario**, where the saint’s relics are kept

• Travel through **Val Petrina** to imagine the great pilgrimages of the past

The story of the martyr San Ventura reminds us how popular faith can transform a simple place into a center of spirituality capable of attracting the faithful from across the region, keeping alive for centuries the memory of a priest who sacrificed his life to defend the honor of God.