Loreto Attractions
The little town of Loreto lies on a hill near the Adriatic Sea, some 20 km/13 mi south of Ancona. Since the 14th century it has been Italy's second most important place of pilgrimage after Rome.
According to legend the Virgin's house in Nazareth, the Santa Casa, was transported by angels to Trsat near Rijeka (Fiume) in the former Yugoslavia in 1291, then in 1294 to a "laurel wood" (lauretium) at Recanati and in 1295 to its present site in Loreto. In 1586 Pope Sixtus V gave the town a municipal charter and the right to build walls. Since 1920 the Madonna of Loreto has been the patroness of airmen.
According to legend the Virgin's house in Nazareth, the Santa Casa, was transported by angels to Trsat near Rijeka (Fiume) in the former Yugoslavia in 1291, then in 1294 to a "laurel wood" (lauretium) at Recanati and in 1295 to its present site in Loreto. In 1586 Pope Sixtus V gave the town a municipal charter and the right to build walls. Since 1920 the Madonna of Loreto has been the patroness of airmen.
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Santuario della Santa Casa in Loreto
Originally built during the reign of Pope Paul II in 1468, the Santuario della Santa Casa displays a Late Renaissance facade, and the interior contains lovely 15th C frescoes.
Palazzo Apostolico
Opposite the Santuario, in Piazza della Madonna is the Palazzo Apostolico, with a picture collection, tapestries (from designs by Raphael) and majolica from Urbino.
