santuario, diocesano, Santuario Santa Maria di Farfa

In the heart of the ancient Sabine territory, at the foot of Monte Acuziano, stands the historic Abbey of Farfa. This church, the core of its monastery and monastic life, also serves as a parish church and a Marian sanctuary. It was declared a national monument in 1928. Pilgrims come from across Italy and abroad for spiritual assistance, confessions, and liturgical celebrations. The principal feast is held on 15 August.

The site’s foundation is attributed to the late sixth century, around 560-570 AD, by a Syrian monk and his sister who came to evangelise the Sabina. A later legend tells of the Virgin Mary directing a saintly restorer to rebuild the abbey on its ruined remains, with the words: “Iste est quem tibi promiseram locus”, “This is the place I promised you.” In September 2024, the local bishop officially recognised Santa Maria di Farfa as a diocesan sanctuary, a formal acknowledgment of its enduring spiritual role.

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