Cilento is a land of devotion and tradition, which collects some of the oldest and most evocative stories regarding the Madonna and Christian sacredness. In this picture we find the Madonna del Sacro Monte, located in the heart of the sanctuary of Novi Velia, devoted to the Marian cult.
According to Lucanian tradition, the image is unveiled on the last Sunday of May and remains on display until October, giving pilgrims from all over the world the opportunity to come and venerate it.
How the cult of the Madonna del Sacro Monte was born
To understand the Marian tradition of Novi Velia, it is necessary to go back in time to the pagan cults celebrated in the area. Mount Gelbison was in fact a place of sacrifices and prayers and only in the XNUMXth century was it converted by monks into a special place for Christianity. Over the centuries, pilgrims have never stopped climbing the steps to reach the Virgin, following what until recently was the only way up to reach her and raise their prayers.
Currently, some side roads have been built that allow all the faithful to arrive, but partially losing that magic of effort and reward at the end of the route.
The arrival at the sanctuary of Novi Velia: rites and prayers
The pilgrims who reach the sanctuary, following the traditional or more modern route, before accessing the threshold of the sanctuary, complete the ritual three laps around the chapel and sing a song in homage to the Madonna. Once you enter the entrance, the atmosphere of fervent religiosity involves the soul and the spirit, seeing the image of the Virgin in the distance. The site is usually crowded and therefore pilgrims line up in an orderly manner to pay homage and greet the owner of the place, in search of a grace or to say thanks.
According to a legend, during the Lombard era, two knights reached the peak. While one of the knights entered the portal of the church to thank the Madonna, the other remained outside to mock his companion for that gesture considered "weak" and unsuitable for a true warrior. However, suddenly his horse went crazy and came dangerously close to the precipice next to the church, ready to jump into the void. At that moment, the knight begged for the help of the Madonna who saved her life by stopping the horse on an outcrop of limestone rock on the precipice. Hence the name "ciampa dicavallo" given to that rocky protrusion. According to legend, from that story developed the pilgrims' custom of throwing coins (once upon a time they threw stones from that sacred land) trying to hit that rocky outcrop. According to tradition, if an unmarried woman succeeds, she will return to the sanctuary as a married woman; However, if you are an elder who succeeds, you will return to the shrine the following year.
How the sanctuary of Novi Velia is made up
The Sanctuary of Novi Velia is made up primarily of a Mother Church, which hides an opulent baroque interior in its stone façade, where the statue of the Virgin is located.
After passing the piperino stone fountain, you reach the Church of San Bartolomeo, where the crypt of San Nilo is located. The picture ends with the tower with the bells, which rises towards the sky and makes the structure even more imposing. The Church of the Madonna and that of San Bartolomeo are connected by the Gallery of the Mysteries, which is worth visiting to give the visit an even more evocative touch.
Also very interesting is the visit to the caves of the Basilian monks, where they lived in poverty and dedicated themselves to the management of the sanctuary.
The pilgrimage
The Madonna leaves at dawn from the mother church of Novi Velia carried on the head of a young "chosen one" from the Cilento town. Along the path, other groups join it, also coming from Basilicata, who experience the touching religious moment with great feeling. Along the path there is a stone, which we can define as of purity, which you can enter and, if you exit, that person's soul is said to be pure.
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Once at the sanctuary, among songs and dances, according to tradition, the first to enter must be the youngest of the group, holding an open Bible in his hands. Followed by the musicians, the standard bearer, the women with candles and the other members of the group. From the entrance to the altar, many faithful proceed on their knees as a sign of penance while singing:
“My dearest Maronna,
why are you in this mountain,
welcome this company
and thank you my Maronna!”
When the time comes to leave, we return to the church for a final farewell to the protectress: we leave the church without turning our backs on the Madonna, singing:
"Now I'm leaving and I'm leaving safely
and I carry your figure into the world,
and it seems like I want to carry it,
I want to call Maria."
“Maria I'm leaving now, I don't know if I'll ever return,
but if Maria don't come back, don't forget me."
“We came and now we're leaving
what do we do without you?
Maria replied, I'll accompany you
I will carry you under my mantle.”
“Now we're going to our homes,
who wants to go without you?
Maria replied, I'll accompany you
I will take you under my mantle,
I will carry you under my mantle
like a lily of charity.”
“And with all this company,
Stay calm, my Maronna!”
When to visit the sanctuary of Novi Velia
The sanctuary of Novi Velia can be visited from the last Sunday of May until October, with pilgrims who can also enjoy the summer to admire the surrounding panorama and be able to walk the path also from a naturalistic point of view.
The expected duration of the visit is approximately 2 hours, while the route on foot requires a certain agility.
Not just prayer in a suggestive naturalistic context: admire the surrounding panorama
Once you leave the church, with a richer soul and wonder in your eyes, you can continue to enjoy the experience while appreciating its naturalistic aspect.
Looking out from the square it is possible to admire the entire valley below and the Mediterranean scrub that rises upwards from below, giving the sensation of freedom.
