The Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Armi in Cerchiara di Calabria (province of Cosenza) is an architectural complex of medieval origin, situated on mount Sellaro in the Parco nazionale del Pollino, 650m above sea level.
Partly dug from rock, the monastery complex was built in the 15th century on the site of a Basilian cave. Legend holds that in 1450, hunters saw a deer enter the little cave but when they followed, they found only two wooden icons of the evangelists. Every time the icons were moved, they would vanish only to reappear in the cave. Consequently, a small chapel was built to house them, along with an image of the Madonna with Child found later. The rock chapel is circular in shape with a natural arched ceiling, lined with white marble.
From 1517, the sanctuary housed orphans and the poor, and included a church, the ducal palace, the pilgrim guesthouse and the orphanage. Abandoning its role of hospitality in the 19th century, the complex today comprises various buildings in local stone and is a pilgrimage site especially busy during the religious celebrations of the Madonna delle Armi (25 April). It conserves notable works of art and Baroque silverware. The ruined Monastery of St. Andrew of Byzantine origin is nearby.
Fondazione Calabria Film Commission
Cittadella Regione Calabria — Località Germaneto — 88100 Catanzaro
Phone: +39 0961 853836
Email: info@calabriafilmcommission.it
