Sanctuary of Saint Matthew the Apostle: A Millennial Journey through Faith, History, and Art

A place where history is layered like the stones of its walls, the Sanctuary of Saint Matthew the Apostle in San Marco in Lamis is much more than a simple place of worship. It is a crossroads of ancient pilgrimages, a bastion of faith that has endured through the centuries, and an open-air museum safeguarding one of the most fascinating and transformative statues of Apulian devotion. Prepare to discover a sanctuary rich in mystery, art, and spirituality.

The Miraculous Statue: An Extraordinary Transformation

The beating heart of devotion in this place is undoubtedly the venerated statue of Saint Matthew. Its history is a tale of transformation and faith rooted in the 13th century.

Originally, the work, carved from precious wild olive wood, did not depict the evangelist, but Christ Enthroned. For three centuries, the faithful venerated this image of the Savior, who held the Gospel in his left hand and blessed with his right.

Everything changed at the end of the 16th century, when devotion to Saint Matthew the Apostle began to spread powerfully in the area. In an act of extraordinary devotion and artistic ingenuity, the statue was transformed. The artisans of the time placed a pen in the right hand and, on the book of the Gospel, engraved the verses from chapter 9 of the Gospel of Matthew, which narrate his own calling, along with the date 1596. From that moment, the image became the tangible representation of the Evangelist, witness and scribe of the Word of God.

This statue is not just a work of art, but a monument to lived faith, as evidenced by the hundreds of ex-votos left over time by the faithful for graces received. The Benedictine Gallery, within the complex, houses an emotional and unique collection of painted tablets, goldsmith objects, photographs, and even prosthetics, tangible signs of a living and moving popular devotion.

History: From Pagan Roots to the Heart of Gargano Pilgrimage

The history of the Sanctuary of Saint Matthew is an adventurous journey through the ages. Its site was not chosen by chance: it occupies a strategic position in the Valle dello Starale, a natural crossroads between Borgo Celano, San Marco in Lamis, and San Giovanni Rotondo.

Its origins are lost in the mists of time. In the 6th century, a pagan temple dedicated to Janus, god of beginnings and transitions, stood here. With the advent of Christianity, this place of passage was assimilated into the cult of Saint John the Baptist, the precursor. It was likely the Lombards, in the 8th century, who founded a hospice for pilgrims here named San Giovanni de Lama. Its function was crucial: to offer shelter to wayfarers traveling the Via Sacra Langobardorum, the ancient route leading to the famous Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel in Monte Sant’Angelo.

Over the centuries, the abbey experienced alternating fortunes: great splendor in the Byzantine and Norman-Swabian era, followed by periods of crisis and rebellion. In 1578, to prevent its complete ruin, the monastery was entrusted to the Friars Minor Franciscans, who gave it new life and, shortly after, the definitive title of Saint Matthew. Since then, except for brief intervals, the Franciscans have been the custodians of this sacred place, which today is a vital spiritual center for all of Capitanata.

Architecture and Art: A Casket of Devotion

The convent complex presents itself as a solid and austere construction, speaking of centuries of history. Inside, the atmosphere is one of recollection. Beyond the famous statue, the sanctuary safeguards other works of art and significant spaces.

Of particular interest is the sanctuary museum, which includes the Benedictine Gallery, the sacristy, and the confessionals room. Here, one can admire up close the very rich collection of votive tablets, a unique testimony to popular devotion and the social history of the area. These small naive artworks tell stories of healings, rescues, and graces received through the intercession of Saint Matthew.

How to Visit: Pilgrimage and Exploration

Visiting the Sanctuary of Saint Matthew means undertaking a double journey: inward and into history. The place is perfectly integrated into the context of the Gargano pilgrimage.

• **For Pilgrims**: The sanctuary is an ideal stop along the path leading to Monte Sant’Angelo. It is a place of rest, prayer, and spiritual refreshment, where to pause before the Evangelist before reaching the Archangel.

• **For History and Art Enthusiasts**: The visit to the museum and the church offers a unique glimpse into the religious and artistic history of Apulia. The proximity to sites like the Cave of Saint Michael in Cagnano Varano or the historic center of San Marco in Lamis itself allows for constructing a rich and varied itinerary.

• **For Nature Lovers**: The location in the Valle dello Starale invites short excursions in the surroundings, to admire the rugged and suggestive landscape of the Gargano.

Curiosities and Traditions

• **The Double Name**: For a period, the monastery was known simultaneously as “San Giovanni or San Matteo,” a sign of the transition between the two cults. A historical curiosity that reveals the layering of devotions.

• **Saint Matthew, the Tax Collector Evangelist**: Remembering that Matthew, before Jesus’ call, was a tax collector (publican), makes his figure particularly close to a region of passage and trade like Apulia. His transformation into an apostle is a powerful symbol of redemption.

• **Patronal Feast**: The feast of **Saint Matthew the Apostle** is celebrated on **September 21st**. On this occasion, the sanctuary becomes the heart of solemn celebrations, processions, and a moment of great popular participation, ideal for experiencing the authentic devotion of this place.

The Sanctuary of Saint Matthew the Apostle awaits visitors not only as a destination but as a companion on a journey through the faith, art, and history of a land, Apulia, forever a crossroads of peoples and spirituality.