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Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Galloro and Bernini's Façade in Ariccia, Born from a Vow
The church of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Galloro is located along the Via Appia, just outside Ariccia. This is no ordinary church. Its story begins with the miraculous discovery of a sacred image. A few decades later, Gian Lorenzo Bernini gave it his unmistakable Baroque touch, transforming it forever.
A Sacred Image and a Vow Against the Plague
It all began with an image of the Virgin Mary, discovered by a young boy, Sante Bevilacqua. Devotion grew so strong that it led to the construction of the church in 1624. But the deepest bond was forged in 1656, when the plague came to a halt at the town's gates. A miracle. In gratitude, the "Festa della Signorina" is still celebrated every year.
Bernini's Intervention and the Hidden Relics
When Pope Alexander VII Chigi decided to renovate the sanctuary, he called upon his trusted architect. Bernini designed the majestic façade visible today. Inside, a Latin cross plan with a single nave leads to the high altar, where the sacred icon is kept. A detail few people notice: one of the chapels contains the relics of St Clement, transferred here in 1716 at the behest of Pope Clement XI.
Open during religious services. Admission is free. The sanctuary is located on the SS7 the Via Appia Nuova state road, in the direction of Genzano di Roma.
