The Church of Santa Veronica features a single-hall layout. Recently constructed, it has a reinforced concrete structure. The entire building, both inside and out, reveals the material used in its construction, with most interior and exterior finishes being exposed concrete. The façade consists of two superimposed rectangular volumes. The lower section houses the main entrance and two side entrances, while the upper section is fully glazed. At the rear stands a large square bell tower.
The monastery church, where the saint’s body is preserved and displayed for public veneration, is small and rectangular, with three altars (two side altars and the main one). On the right side of the church (facing the altar) lies the monastery, a simple three-story building with its own entrance separate from the church and a large cloister.
**Description:** The saint’s bones are contained within a wax effigy placed inside the main altar of the monastery church, dedicated to San Martino. Veronica Giuliani died on July 9, 1727, and was canonized on May 26, 1839. The body of Blessed Florida Cevoli, who died in 1767, is also venerated here, placed beneath the left side altar.
**First use:** 1727
**Relic:** Bones
**Types of ex-votos:** Jewelry, Actual or depicted prosthetics
**1990–1995** (construction of the entire property)
The church was built in the early 1990s of the last century.
On October 28, 1677, Sister Veronica Giuliani took her vows at the Capuchin monastery in Città di Castello, whose foundation was legitimized by Pope Urban VIII with a papal bull on December 15, 1642. In 1716, she was elected abbess. She died on July 9, 1727. Pilgrimages soon began to visit her cell and tomb. In 1767, Sister Florida Cevoli, who led the convent for over forty years with exemplary devotion, passed away. Her suffering gave rise to new intercessions and graces.
[Giuliana Rosini, *For a History of the Capuchin Nuns of Città di Castello in Santa Veronica Giuliani, Doctor of the Church?* Proceedings of the study conference (April 29–30 – May 1, 1978), Città di Castello, Santa Veronica Giuliani Study Center – I, Società Tipolitografica Editoriale Città di Castello, 1979].
It is difficult to determine the exact beginning of this sanctuary’s life cycle. Although the church had already been an important place of worship since 1727, it might only be considered a proper sanctuary after Veronica Giuliani’s canonization on May 29, 1839. The saint was later named the secondary patron of the city. Today, the sanctuary hosts an international pilgrimage and frequent visits by local devotees.
The monastery was closed from 1810 to 1814 due to the suppression of religious orders decreed by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
At the request of the monastery chaplain, Canon Oreste Fiorucci, on June 30, 1964, Pope John XXIII granted the same indulgences to those who climb a staircase within the monastery cloister on their knees as those given to pilgrims ascending the Holy Stairs in Rome.
Initially, the nuns were Capuchins, then Poor Clares, and since 2001, they have returned to being Capuchins. The year 1642 refers to the monastery’s foundation.
Liturgical celebrations are conducted by a chaplain chosen from the diocesan clergy.
Via XI Settembre, 21, 06012 Città di Castello PG, Italy
