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Legends about the Cathedral in Castelpetroso
Castelpetroso is a town in the province of Isernia, in the Molise region of Italy. Perched precariously on a hillside in Castelpetroso, lies an ancient castle that has quietly stood for centuries, yet remains largely unknown, even to the locals. This castle complex is known as...Church of Our Lady of SorrowsAs beautiful as the castle in the fairytale movie Frozen, it is also filled with mysterious legends, attracting the curiosity of tourists from near and far.
The name "Cathedral of Our Lady of Sorrows" originates from an ancient story passed down through generations about the building's origins. The story goes that two girls, Serafina and Fabiana, were searching for a lost sheep when they saw a light shining through cracks in the rock. Curious, they approached and saw Our Lady of Sorrows holding her child at the site of the current castle (which at the time was just a small temple on the mountain). The two girls recounted the story to the locals, but everyone dismissed it as a myth, until other visitors, driven by curiosity, came to explore and witness the same sight.
Moreover, this castle complex holds even more mysteries and sacredness, stemming from various oral traditions. For example, there's a story about a young man who fell off a cliff but survived, or about the streams flowing from the mountain crevices that once cured a boy of a serious illness and cured a man of deafness after he drank the water. These seemingly fantastical stories are supported by the belief that Count Carlos Aquaderni himself tested the water on his son, and it indeed yielded surprising results. Therefore, the entire area surrounding the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows is considered sacred by the people, who always show reverence and solemnity whenever they pass by.
Today, the small, sacred shrine has been rebuilt into a magnificent castle complex, its exterior painted entirely white, resembling the castle in the movie Frozen, especially in winter. The sanctuary has seven chapels symbolizing the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary. The central dome of the castle reaches a height of 54 meters, and the surrounding landscape with its open spaces makes one feel as if they have stepped into a fairytale.
The castle took a decade to complete and involved the collaborative efforts of many people. The architects worked exclusively with local stone carvers, and the structure was carved solely from stone sourced from the Castelpetroso region. Locals have always praised the castle's beauty, so much so that even Italians find it hard to believe such a "treasure" exists in their country, and many flock here simply to see for themselves.
The most attractive destination in Molise
Despite its splendor, this fairytale castle complex is not widely known because Molise is an unpopular tourist destination, even...Many people don't even know that there's a region in Italy called Molise.There is no international airport here, so to reach this location, visitors must land at airports in southern Italy and then travel by car or train from cities such as Campania, Puglia, or Abruzzo.
Although somewhat challenging, reaching the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows offers visitors the opportunity to broaden their horizons with the peaceful natural scenery and experience firsthand the legends surrounding this place, such as the path the two girls once walked and met the Virgin Mary, or traversing precarious mountains to find the rock where the Virgin Mary sat holding her child. These spiritual legends imbue the entire area with sacredness and reverence for God. The path leading to the cave is divided into seven sections, each adorned with bronze statues depicting the lives of Jesus and Our Lady of Sorrows.La Via Matris di Castelpetroso.
Additionally, to delve deeper into the history and legends of the cathedral, visitors can visit a nearby museum to hear stories and anecdotes from guides and view the exhibits. Finally, after a day of sightseeing and exploration, visitors should consider resting here. Of course, not inside the cathedral, as it is still functioning as a church. Visitors can stay in a hotel built right next to the cathedral, catering to those who wish to enjoy a more peaceful holiday in Molise and explore the surrounding areas.
The lush greenery of the countryside has transformed the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows into a wonderful tourist destination, both environmentally and spiritually, for those who love to enjoy the energy of nature and admire breathtaking scenery. People from all over the world visit to meditate and find peace in the quiet.
Although not as famous as other Italian landmarks, Molise is a peaceful rural area offering visitors a truly relaxing and rejuvenating retreat. Furthermore, the fairytale castle nestled in the sacred region of Molise, along with its mysterious legends, promises a memorable experience for anyone planning a visit to this beautiful land.
