Our Lady of Grace Sanctuary

SELF. Monsignor Vincenzo Giustiniani, Genoese, but a native of Chios (Egeo), bishop of Gravina (1593-1614), his own pecunia posuit, he erected from the foundations this "famous temple" in 1602, "ad instar Cathedralis". The central door has a raised architrave, with a round shape with Corinthian capitals, on the lintel a scroll of stone, explained. Above a triangular tympanum with sloping, lateral cornices, which close the linear travel of the entablature. Inside the tympanum there is written: "PER FIDEM SPEM ET CHARITATEM". the tympanum forms the base of the central tower, forming part of the bishop's coat of arms which expands over the entire façade. In 1734 the Austrian troops camped there and during the Second World War it served as a barracks for the Italian motorized infantry, then used to keep motorcycles. After so much oblivion it was reopened for worship in 1951 by the bishop of Gravina Giovanni Maria Sanna who the following year erected it in the parish. The interior, disfigured in 1652, was restored to its origins in 1989. In the "Visit" of Bishop Ferrero we read that there was a single altar, the largest, which by order of the card. Orsini was demolished because it was dilapidated. On the altar which was rebuilt there was a fresco with the figures of Saints Peter and Paul and of the Virgin, the fresco was surrounded by a carved frame. A nave with twelve chapels - originally two side aisles - with ribbed vaults, divided by round arched lunar arches. On either side of these: stone medallions of the Apostles. Entering, on the left, the third chapel is dedicated to the war dead. On the right side of the main altar: statue of the Madonna della Grazia, crowned by John Paul II on September 25, 1991, in St. Peter's Square.

It is a Church Sanctuary built in 1602 by Mons. Vincenzo Giustiniani, precisely to welcome the many pilgrims that flowed from neighboring countries to thank and ask the Madonna delle Grazie for the gift of having a child to breastfeed. This is why the Madonna delle Grazie in the iconography is presented in the act of breastfeeding her own child Jesus. The façade of this Parish - Sanctuary is unique in the whole world and reproduces in great the Giustiniani coat of arms: a large eagle with spread wings protecting the castle below. In many tourist guides the monumental facade symbolizes the city of Gravina in Puglia. It is a constant destination for pilgrims and tourists who come from everywhere. The feast of the Madonna delle Grazie, preceded by a novena animated by all the parishes, is celebrated on 8 September, each year.

They don't say how the Bible really tells

Beautiful and historic sanctuary to visit for those coming to visit Gravina

Very beautiful. Frequented by many very nice and kind people. Intense