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The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Castelmonte (Madone di Mont, Stara Gora, or “the ancient mountain”) stands on the top of a mountain 618 meters above sea level in the Julian Prealps.
It is a place with rich history and spirit that stood the test of time and still welcomes visitors from all over the world.
The site was originally a Roman military post that served as a defense of the city of Forum Iulii (today Cividale del Friuli) from the barbarian invasions in the 5th century. The local population used it as a refuge throughout the invasions of Huns, Goths, Longobards, Avars, and Slavs.
It is assumed that, at first, the sacred place consisted of a small chapel carved into the rock and dedicated to the Madonna and St. Michael the Archangel. With the passing of time and the increasing devotion to the Virgin Mary of the community of Aquileia, it grew to become a fortified village that surrounded the chapel with perspective walls, stairways, and various stone buildings.
In the first half of the 13th century, Castelmonte was already considered one of the most prominent localities of Aquileia’s patriarchate. In 1253 the sanctuary, already strengthened to protect pilgrims and enlarged to become a village, became the property of Santa Maria Assunta: the main church of Cividale del Friuli.
In the centuries to come, the sanctuary was semi-destroyed by fires and earthquakes, civil and world wars. In the 17th and 18th centuries, many parts were reconstructed and extended: including walls, pilgrim dormitories, the church, and the new choir.
Between the 40s and the 80s of the 20th century, the complex assumed its current configuration: in 1930, the church’s facade underwent a profound renovation. Other things that happened then included the inauguration of the aqueduct, the arrangement of the steps, the erection of the luminous Cross on the hill, and more.
Nowadays, the Sanctuary is still welcoming pilgrims for holy masses, pilgrimages, wedding anniversaries, and the various needs and information they need.
Tourists and visitors are welcomed with internal and external guided tours that embrace the entity of the area: the hill of the cross, the facade, and the bell tower, the interior of the church, the crypt, the statue of the Madonna and Child is the heart of the sanctuary and more.
Some of the additional services to enjoy around the Sanctuary include:
The area hosts various celebrations and sacraments throughout the year. You can quickly check them on the official website of The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Castelmonte and plan your trip according to the event schedule.
The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Castelmonte (Madone di Mont, Stara Gora, or “the ancient mountain”) stands on the top of a mountain 618 meters above sea level in the Julian Prealps.
It is a place with rich history and spirit that stood the test of time and still welcomes visitors from all over the world.
The site was originally a Roman military post that served as a defense of the city of Forum Iulii (today Cividale del Friuli) from the barbarian invasions in the 5th century. The local population used it as a refuge throughout the invasions of Huns, Goths, Longobards, Avars, and Slavs.
It is assumed that, at first, the sacred place consisted of a small chapel carved into the rock and dedicated to the Madonna and St. Michael the Archangel. With the passing of time and the increasing devotion to the Virgin Mary of the community of Aquileia, it grew to become a fortified village that surrounded the chapel with perspective walls, stairways, and various stone buildings.
In the first half of the 13th century, Castelmonte was already considered one of the most prominent localities of Aquileia’s patriarchate. In 1253 the sanctuary, already strengthened to protect pilgrims and enlarged to become a village, became the property of Santa Maria Assunta: the main church of Cividale del Friuli.
In the centuries to come, the sanctuary was semi-destroyed by fires and earthquakes, civil and world wars. In the 17th and 18th centuries, many parts were reconstructed and extended: including walls, pilgrim dormitories, the church, and the new choir.
Between the 40s and the 80s of the 20th century, the complex assumed its current configuration: in 1930, the church’s facade underwent a profound renovation. Other things that happened then included the inauguration of the aqueduct, the arrangement of the steps, the erection of the luminous Cross on the hill, and more.
Nowadays, the Sanctuary is still welcoming pilgrims for holy masses, pilgrimages, wedding anniversaries, and the various needs and information they need.
Tourists and visitors are welcomed with internal and external guided tours that embrace the entity of the area: the hill of the cross, the facade, and the bell tower, the interior of the church, the crypt, the statue of the Madonna and Child is the heart of the sanctuary and more.
Some of the additional services to enjoy around the Sanctuary include:
The area hosts various celebrations and sacraments throughout the year. You can quickly check them on the official website of The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Castelmonte and plan your trip according to the event schedule.
The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Castelmonte (Madone di Mont, Stara Gora, or “the ancient mountain”) stands on the top of a mountain 618 meters above sea level in the Julian Prealps.
It is a place with rich history and spirit that stood the test of time and still welcomes visitors from all over the world.
The site was originally a Roman military post that served as a defense of the city of Forum Iulii (today Cividale del Friuli) from the barbarian invasions in the 5th century. The local population used it as a refuge throughout the invasions of Huns, Goths, Longobards, Avars, and Slavs.
It is assumed that, at first, the sacred place consisted of a small chapel carved into the rock and dedicated to the Madonna and St. Michael the Archangel. With the passing of time and the increasing devotion to the Virgin Mary of the community of Aquileia, it grew to become a fortified village that surrounded the chapel with perspective walls, stairways, and various stone buildings.
In the first half of the 13th century, Castelmonte was already considered one of the most prominent localities of Aquileia’s patriarchate. In 1253 the sanctuary, already strengthened to protect pilgrims and enlarged to become a village, became the property of Santa Maria Assunta: the main church of Cividale del Friuli.
In the centuries to come, the sanctuary was semi-destroyed by fires and earthquakes, civil and world wars. In the 17th and 18th centuries, many parts were reconstructed and extended: including walls, pilgrim dormitories, the church, and the new choir.
Between the 40s and the 80s of the 20th century, the complex assumed its current configuration: in 1930, the church’s facade underwent a profound renovation. Other things that happened then included the inauguration of the aqueduct, the arrangement of the steps, the erection of the luminous Cross on the hill, and more.
Nowadays, the Sanctuary is still welcoming pilgrims for holy masses, pilgrimages, wedding anniversaries, and the various needs and information they need.
Tourists and visitors are welcomed with internal and external guided tours that embrace the entity of the area: the hill of the cross, the facade, and the bell tower, the interior of the church, the crypt, the statue of the Madonna and Child is the heart of the sanctuary and more.
Some of the additional services to enjoy around the Sanctuary include:
The area hosts various celebrations and sacraments throughout the year. You can quickly check them on the official website of The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Castelmonte and plan your trip according to the event schedule.
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