Basilica della Santa Casa
The Basilica della Santa Casa (English: Basilica of the Holy House) is a Marian shrine in Loreto, in the Marches, Italy. The basilica is known for enshrining the house in which the Blessed Virgin Mary is believed by some Catholics to have lived. Pious legends claim the same house was flown over by angelic beings from Nazareth to Tersatto (Trsat in Croatia), then to Recanati, before arriving at the current site.
| Basilica della Santa Casa | |
|---|---|
The façade edifice of the Basilica della Santa Casa. | |
| Location | Loreto, Marche, Italy |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Pontifical minor basilica |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Late Gothic |
| Completed | 16th century |
| Administration | |
| Episcopal area | Territorial Prelature of Loreto |
The basilica is also known for enshrining the Madonna and Child image of "Our Lady of Loreto". Pope Benedict XV designated her under this title as patroness of air passengers and auspicious travel on 24 March 1920. Pope Pius XI granted a Canonical Coronation to the venerated image made of Cedar of Lebanon wood on 5 September 1922, replacing the original Marian image consumed in fire on 23 February 1921.