Discover Laurignano: Sanctuary, History and Crafts

Laurignano Between Sanctuary and Crafts

Laurignano draws attention to the Madonna della Catena and, at the same time, to the history of traditional crafts. For you, this gives the town a clearly recognizable cultural and religious focus: the sanctuary, the history of the image, gardens, library and the Laurignano section of the Museo del Rame e degli Antichi Mestieri each offer a different perspective. This combination makes Laurignano interesting for travelers who want to get to know an Italian town through its sacred heritage and local craft history.

The History of the Madonna della Catena

The image of the Madonna was walled into the Antico Romitorio in 1471 and rediscovered there by Fra Benedetto Falcone in 1833. The cult of the Madonna della Catena in Laurignano is traditionally associated with a miracle in 1301 involving the blind beggar Simone Adami from Laurignano. These two narratives bring together a specific historical event and a religious tradition that continue to shape the character of the sanctuary today.

Church, Image and Ecclesiastical Honors

The Church of Santa Maria Madonna della Catena was elevated to the status of a diocesan Marian sanctuary on October 9, 1988. The sanctuary church is decorated with marble and frescoes. The altarpiece also has a documented history: it was restored in 1966 by the Vatican restoration institute. The image of the Madonna was crowned again by Pope John Paul II on October 6, 1984, while the painting of the Madonna della Catena in the sanctuary had already been crowned by a Vatican chapter in 1921.

Gardens, Retreats and Library

The Passionists have cared for the Madonna della Catena Sanctuary since 1906. The complex next to the sanctuary accommodates groups that hold retreats and spiritual reflection days there. The complex also includes green gardens and a library with more than 36,000 volumes. In addition to the church, the site therefore includes rooms and areas associated with spiritual retreats, gardens and extensive book collections.

Museum and Annual Festival

The Museo del Rame e degli Antichi Mestieri comprises three sections in Dipignano, Tessano and Laurignano. The Laurignano section thus establishes a direct connection with the history of copper and traditional crafts. The Feast of the Madonna della Catena in Laurignano is celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Easter. This fixed date adds a recurring point in the annual calendar to the sanctuary's historical and religious significance.

Staying Overnight with a Clear Travel Interest

When deciding where to stay in Laurignano, your preferred type of trip may play an important role. The sanctuary with its history of the image, the gardens and library, and the Museo del Rame e degli Antichi Mestieri each offer their own cultural focus.

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