santuario, diocesano, Santuario Diocesano Maria Santissima delle Grazie

Among the sanctuaries that dot Basilicata, this church began life in the early thirteenth century as a dependency of the Benedictine abbey of Pierno. Its architecture is Norman in foundation, though the present building bears the marks of centuries of use, alteration, and restoration. Severely damaged by the earthquake of November 1980, it reopened on the feast of the Assumption in 1992, after careful repair that returned it to its original clean architectural lines and reordered the presbytery according to modern liturgical norms. The sanctuary was elevated to diocesan status in July 1992, a formal recognition of its long role as a focus of Marian devotion. It has been frequented with religious veneration by the local people, and pilgrims continue to come seeking peace and support before the venerated image of the Madonna delle Grazie.

Description via source. Coordinates and heritage data from the Atika atlas.