Description of the attraction
The Temple of Montevergine is located in the commune of Mercollano in the Campania region of Italy, 35 miles east of Naples. It was built on the site of the temple of the goddess Cybele on Mount Montevergine at an altitude of 1270 meters above sea level - in good weather, from here you can see the entire Gulf of Naples, Vesuvius and the Campanian plain.
The history of the temple is closely connected with the history of the young pilgrim Guglielmo da Vercelli, who, struck by the beauty of the local Apennine mountains, decided to settle in Montevergina. Later, the appearance of Christ inspired him to build a temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary - it was erected in 1124 and was rebuilt over several centuries until it acquired its current appearance. Today the religious complex consists of an old basilica, a new neo-Gothic basilica built in 1961, a monastery, guest rooms, a bell tower and a crypt. A number of treasures are kept inside, including a 12th-century Byzantine canopy, a 15th-century Catherine Filangieri monument and an old altar, not to mention the thousands of gifts brought by the dark-skinned Madonna, Mamma Schiavone. Her image appeared in the temple in the 14th century.
All year round, crowds of pilgrims flock to the Montevergine temple, the number of which increases many times during the Candelora festival, which combines elements of pagan festivities and Christian veneration. The festival takes place in February, with believers climbing Mount Montevergine singing and dancing. The heroes of the festival are the so-called "feminielli", admirers of Mamma Schiavona, who, according to legend, in the 13th century saved a couple of young homosexuals expelled from the city and chained to a rock.
