The many rural churches and chapels to visit near Castelpretroso

LA CHIESA DI SAN ROCCO

The church is located on the road from Castelpetroso to Sant'Angelo in Grotte. In the square in front of it is a stone Benedictine cross. Inside, there is a beautiful statue of the Saint, depicted with the plague scar and with the dog bringing him bread. There is also a wooden confessional of considerable artistic value. Popular devotion to this Saint is immense, due to the fact that at the Council of Constance, the Council Fathers designated him "Patron Saint against the plague," a disease that also ravaged our region at the time.

CHIESA DI SAN NICOLA DI BARI

The church, built at the behest and with donations from the people of Pastena, is of recent construction, as the ancient temple dedicated to the Saint was severely damaged when the Germans detonated mines to destroy the state road bridge near the village. Inside, precious paintings by Maestro Amedeo Trivisonno depicting the life of the Saint are preserved. A bronze door adorns the aforementioned parish church, the work of the sculptor Prof. Madonna of Lanciano.

MADONNA DELLE GRAZIE

The construction of the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Graces dates back to 1876. It is said that during the transhumance, shepherds descended from the mountains of Abruzzo to reach Puglia with their flocks. Upon reaching these areas, they stopped to rest near the waters of the San Salvatore stream, which flows just below the town. They built a first chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Graces to thank her for the support she gave them along the way. The solemnity falls on the Sunday after Pentecost. Since the 1950s, the statue of the Madonna has been carried in procession, but the civil holiday was only established in 1994.

MADONNA DELLA LIBERA

The construction of the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Graces dates back to 1876. It is said that during the transhumance, shepherds descended from the mountains of Abruzzo to reach Puglia with their flocks. Upon reaching these areas, they stopped to rest near the waters of the San Salvatore stream, which flows just below the town. They built a first chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Graces to thank her for the support she gave them along the way. The solemnity falls on the Sunday after Pentecost. Since the 1950s, the statue of the Madonna has been carried in procession, but the civil holiday was only established in 1994.

SANTA MARIA DELLA MERCEDE

No one knows why this name was given to the church built in Guasto, A.D. 1868. Certainly, in Spain and Latin America there is great devotion to "Mercy," the liberator of slaves. It has a Latin cross plan, and inside there are many wooden statues; the one of Maria della Mercede is very beautiful. The pulpit is also made of wood, and there are artistically crafted windows, by the CARON company of Vicenza, which depict eight moments from the life of the Madonna. The very beautiful rose window depicts the Madonna.

MADONNA DEL CARMINE

A private chapel, belonging to the Cifelli family, where a lovely wooden image of the Madonna del Carmine is venerated. The Marian throne reads: "Dedicated to Mary, adornment of Mount Carmel," while the date 1881 is engraved on the beautifully crafted stone portal. To the right of the Madonna is a statue of Blessed Padre Pio, and to the left is Saint Anthony of Padua. It was recently restored, at the expense of the few faithful in the village.

CAPPELLA DI SANTA BARBARA

The small chapel is located behind San Rocco and was built by workers constructing the railway tunnel that runs through the Castelpetroso area. It is said that during a furious storm, the workers vowed to honor the Saint who protects from "lightning and thunderbolts." Some also say that the workers were saved from the accidental explosion of a mine.

CAPPELLA SAN NICOLA

A family chapel in the Feudo area, along the Castelpetroso-Camere mule track. It belonged to the Cifelli family, and later passed to the teacher Gaetano Notte. On the altar is a painting of Saint Nicholas. Under the floor are tombs accessed through a trapdoor covered by a marble slab bearing the inscription "Peace."

CAPPELLA DI S. ANTONIO

This chapel, built in honor of Saint Anthony, has an unknown construction date, though it appears to be from the late 18th century. Inside, there is a statue of the Holy of Holies and is protected by an artistic cast iron gate. Even these small signs reveal the great devotion to the Saint of Padua, Anthony.

MADONNA DEL SOCCORSO

This chapel was once owned by the family of Professor Orazio D'Uva. Its current care is entrusted to Professor Orazio Maria Petracca, a political scientist with a background in law and philosophy. It has a beautiful carved stone façade. Inside are burial niches containing several members of the ancient family.

Ecclesiastical Architecture

Minor Basilica

Church of St Joseph

Chapel of the magdalene

San Martino