Legends of the Basilica at Castelpetroso
Castelpetroso is a town in the province of Isernia in the Molise region of Italy. Perched precariously on a mountainside in Castelpetroso, there is an ancient castle that has quietly existed for centuries but is unknown to many, even to the locals. This castle complex is calledBasilica of Our Lady of Sorrows, as beautiful as the castle in the fairy tale movie Frozen, but filled with mysterious legends, attracting the curiosity of visitors from near and far.
The name “The Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows” also originates from the old story that has been passed down by word of mouth about the birth of this castle. The story goes that two girls, Serafina and Fabiana, were on their way to find a lost sheep when they suddenly saw a light shining through the cracks in the rock. Out of curiosity, they boldly approached and saw with their own eyes the Lady of Sorrows holding her child sitting in the position of the current castle (at that time it was just a small temple on the mountain). The two girls told the story to the locals but it seemed that everyone thought it was a myth, until many other curious visitors also came here to explore and witness the same scene.
Not only that, this castle complex also contains many more mysterious and sacred things from other oral stories. For example, in the past, there was a young man who fell off a cliff but did not die or the water flowing from the rock crevice on the mountain once cured a boy of a serious illness and helped a man recover from deafness after drinking the water. These stories seem to be fantastic but are confirmed by the people that Count Carlos Aquaderni himself tested this water on his son and it really brought about surprising results. Therefore, the entire area around the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows is considered a holy place by the people and they always show respect and solemnity every time they pass by this place.
Today, the small, sacred temple has been rebuilt into a magnificent castle complex, the outside covered in white paint that looks no different from the castle in the movie Frozen, especially in winter. The cathedral has 7 chapels symbolizing the 7 sorrows of the Virgin Mary. The central dome of the castle is 54 m high and the landscape surrounding the castle with open space makes us feel like we are entering a fairy tale.
It took a decade and many people to complete the castle. The architects worked exclusively with local stone carvers, and the structure was carved only from stone from the Castelpetroso area. The locals always praised the castle as so beautiful that even Italians could not believe that such a “treasure” existed in their country, and many people came here just to see it for themselves.
The most attractive destination in Molise
Despite its splendor, this fairytale castle complex is not well known because Molise is a less popular destination for tourists, evenMany people do not even know that in Italy there is a region called Molise.There is no international airport here, so to get to this location, visitors must land at airports in Southern Italy, then travel by car or train from the cities of Campania, Puglia or Abruzzo.
Although it is a bit difficult, if you have reached the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows, visitors will have the opportunity to open their eyes to the peaceful natural scenery here along with experiencing the legendary lands of this castle such as the path that two girls once walked and met the Virgin Mary, or crossing the precarious mountains to find the rock where the Virgin Mary sat holding her child. From the spiritual legends, this whole land also contains sacredness and respect for God. The path leading to the cave is also divided into 7 sections, each section that visitors pass through is decorated with bronze statues, illustrating the life of Jesus and the Virgin Mary of Sorrows, calledLa Via Matris di Castelpetroso.
In addition, to learn more about the history and legends of the Basilica, visitors can visit a nearby museum to hear stories and anecdotes through guides and artifacts displayed here. Finally, after a day of sightseeing and exploring, visitors should stop to rest here. Of course, not inside the Basilica, because it is currently still operating as a church. Visitors can stay in a hotel built right next to the Basilica to welcome those who want to have more time to enjoy their peaceful vacation in Molise and explore the surrounding areas.
The lush greenery of the countryside makes the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows a wonderful tourist destination, both environmentally and spiritually, for those who love to enjoy the energy of nature and admire the breathtaking landscape. Some people from all over the world come here to meditate and find peace in the silence.
Although not as famous as other places in Italy, Molise is a peaceful countryside, which offers visitors a comfortable and relaxing vacation space. In addition, the fairytale castle located on the holy land of Molise with mysterious legends promises to be a memorable experience for those who are planning to visit this beautiful land.
