Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Sacred Mount of Viggiano

Viggiano PZ

History of the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Sacred Mount

The ancient urban Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Sacred Mount of Viggiano, as noted on a plaque to the right of the main door, suffered extensive damage over the centuries due to frequent earthquakes. It was Alessandro Puoti, Bishop of the Diocese of Marsico, who oversaw its reconstruction. The subsequent consecration of the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Sacred Mount of Viggiano took place on May 31, 1735.

Description of the Viggiano Sanctuary

The façade is vertically divided by four pilasters framing the central portal and two side niches, and horizontally by a cornice that serves a pronounced decorative function. It features a wide double-ramp staircase, and above the portal is a 19th-century majolica panel depicting the Madonna of Viggiano. The interior consists of three naves. The central nave ends with an apse topped by a lanterned dome, richly adorned with intricate designs and stucco. Here stands the main white marble altar, carved in 1854 with ornamental motifs inspired by 18th-century styles, facing the 18th-century wooden throne where the venerated statue is kept during the winter months.

Black Madonna Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Sacred Mount of Viggiano

A sculpture depicting the Virgin enthroned with the blessing Child on her lap, also called the “Black Madonna” due to the dark color of the wood. Carved in the 13th century, it was gilded in the 17th century and regilded in 1965. First used: between the years 1200 and 1300.

Types of Ex-Votos

Light displays, inscribed tablets or plaques, goldsmith objects, miscellaneous items, others. Current storage: Room adjacent to the mountain chapel.

Key Events Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Sacred Mount of Viggiano

The statue, already venerated in the ancient cathedral of Grumentum, was allegedly hidden atop the highest mountain in the Viggiano area following the Saracen invasion of the city. After the persecution of Christians ceased, one night in July 314, some shepherds saw a great flame on the mountain peak. Astonished, they climbed the mountain but found no trace of the flame, which reappeared the following night.

Pope Sylvester was informed of the miraculous event and, on August 25, urged the clergy and people to ascend the mountain in procession and spend the night in prayer. On the first Saturday of September, a large crowd of faithful climbed the mountain: the flame reappeared, leaving all present in awe, and vanished at dawn on Sunday. Excavations then began at the site of the apparition.
It is said that on the first Sunday of May 1566, due to bad weather, the transportation of the statue to the mountain was postponed until the afternoon. But suddenly, everyone saw the statue move on its own toward the mountain, surrounded by light, miraculously leaving the ground dry where it passed. From that day, the people of Viggiano never again dared to break the tradition of moving the statue on the established dates. Behind the altar of the mountain sanctuary is a cavity that local tradition identifies as the place where the statue was found.

Important Dates

First Sunday of May – First Sunday of September

On the first Sunday of May, a solemn procession carries the statue from the Pontifical Basilica of Viggiano to the sanctuary on the Sacred Mount, located 12 kilometers from the town at an altitude of 1,725 meters. On the first Sunday of September, the statue returns from the Sacred Mount to Viggiano via the reverse route.

Works

Pope Julius II granted the establishment of a confraternity under the same title and a hospital at the Church of S. Maria del Monte. During the Marian Year of 1954, a girls’ orphanage was founded, which closed after over thirty years of operation. Other works include the “John XXIII Youth House” and the religious and social assistance center “S. Salvatore.” To commemorate the Marian Year 1987–88, two chapel-clinics were built in Congo with funds from the sanctuary. In Viggiano, the youth hostel “Theotokos” was recently established.
In the 16th century, Julius II granted the University of Viggiano patronage over the sanctuary, later confirmed by Paul V in the early 17th century.

Via Roma, 2, 85059 Viggiano PZ, Italy