Discover the Eucharistic Miracle of Turin: the Host that Rose into the Sky

In the heart of old Turin, a stone’s throw from Piazza Castello, the Basilica of Corpus Domini stands on the exact spot where, on 6 June 1453, the prodigy the Turinese have called “the Miracle of Turin” for five centuries took place: the consecrated Host which, freed from the raiders’ sack, rose into the sky by itself, shining like a sun.

The Sacrilege of Exilles

In the upper Susa Valley, near Exilles, the troops of René of Anjou were at war with the House of Savoy. Some soldiers looted the village church, stealing among other things the monstrance with the consecrated Host, loaded onto a mule together with the rest of the plunder bound for Turin, where the booty was to be sold.

6 June 1453

Upon reaching the herb market square, in front of the church of San Silvestro, the mule stumbled and fell. The sack opened and — before the market crowd — the consecrated Host freed itself and rose into the air of its own accord, hovering luminous above the houses. Bishop Ludovico da Romagnano hastened there with his clergy: at the bishop’s prayer, the Host slowly descended into the chalice he held raised. An inscription on the basilica floor, within a railing, still marks the exact spot of the prodigy: “Here fell prostrate the mule that carried the divine Body, here the Sacred Host, freed from the sack, rose into the air by itself, here it mercifully descended into the suppliant hands of the people of Turin”.

The Basilica of Corpus Domini

On the site of the miracle first rose a votive shrine, then — by a vow of the City in 1598 — the present basilica designed by Ascanio Vitozzi, a jewel of Turinese Baroque. The City of Turin renewed its vow for centuries, and the miracle of 1453 remained the heart of Turin’s religious identity, celebrated with solemn centenary feasts.

Historical Clues and “Adventurous” Research:

• The civic acts: the City’s Historical Archive preserves the resolutions on the vows and feasts of the miracle: faith as the public act of a capital.
• The railing inscription: read and translate the inscription that consecrates the site of the prodigy.
• Exilles: travel up the Susa Valley to the plundered church: the miracle’s other terminus.

Useful Information for Pilgrims

• Address: Piazza Corpus Domini, Turin (TO), Italy
• Opening Hours: check with the Archdiocese of Turin for celebration and visiting times.
• Getting There: the basilica is in the historic centre, between Via Palazzo di Città and Piazza Castello, served by city-centre transport lines.

Historical source: the international exhibition “The Eucharistic Miracles of the World” created by Carlo Acutis (miracolieucaristici.org).