BASILICA-SANTUARIO SANTA MARIA DE FINIBUS TERRAE
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Basilica built by Archbishop Jean Giannelli between 1720 and 1755.
From Finibus Terrae: "at the margins of the earth", a name that sums up the situation of the sanctuary at the extreme tip of Italy. Tradition tells that it was precisely at the cape of Santa Maria di Leuca that St. Peter, who came from the East to evangelize Rome, landed on the Italian peninsula. A first church was built on the promontory at the beginning of the Christian era, on the site of a previous Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva. In the course of its history, the sanctuary was destroyed several times: its geographical location, both isolated on a promontory and particularly exposed, made it a prey to Turkish and Saracen invaders. The fortified church with its present structure was built between 1720 and 1755 by Archbishop Jean Giannelli. The façade dates back to 1926 and the three bronze portals were added in the year 2000. The sanctuary welcomes many pilgrims, especially to the Assumption for the sea procession. The devotion of the faithful to the Madonna di Leuca has ancient origins and developed as early as 365 when a miracle saved fishermen from a storm. Inside, with a single nave, you can admire the painting of the Madonna and Child (called Madonna of Terrae Finibus) by Jacopo Palma il Giovane. In front of the basilica there is a majestic octagonal lighthouse and a column topped by a statue of the Virgin, which is supposed to recall the place where St. Peter landed.
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