The Sanctuary of Saint Mary de Finibus Terrae

The sanctuary, a Catholic basilica minor dedicated to Saint Mary, arises on the top of Punta Meliso, just a few steps from the famous city lighthouse.

The site was originally occupied by a pagan temple dedicated to Minerva, as shown by the altar discovered there and now preserved in the church: after St. Peter disembarked in the area, the conversion of the population to Christianity led to a change of the cult of the temple, therefore dedicated to the Most Holy Saviour.

Because of its geographical position, over time the church was attacked and plundered several times, but it was always rebuilt. During its last reconstruction, the bishop of that time decided to give it a shape similar to a two-storey fotification, as if it was a private house: the new building was completed and consecrated in 1755.

The sanctuary is called “de Finibus Terrae”, which is the same name Romans gave to the last area they lived in. It rises on a square from which you can see Santa Maria di Leuca village.

The inside of the church is simple, with a single nave, a choir, an organ from the 1800s and four chapels, two on each side of the nave. The main marble altar is surmounted by a Madonna de Finibus Terrae painting: the first painting was made by St. Luke, but it was lost. Others of the same type followed, until the last one which is preserved on the altar.

Tags: Territory, Culture