Basilica della Madonna dei sette dolori

Basilica della Madonna dei sette dolori is named in honor of Our Lady, who got over seven crosses, according to the Holy Bible. 

The basilica is the most important religious and cultural center of the region. Every summer people from different places in Italy organize there a popular festival.

The basilica was built in the 17th century on a hill. Citizens chose this place intentionally. 

According to the legend, herdsmen from Pescara noticed there a stone with the picture of the Virgin Mary. Her heart was pierced with swords and she held a dead son.

Believers decided to bring the stone to the small chapel nearby. But on the next morning, it returned to its initial place. The procedure was repeated several times, but nothing changed. So, locals decided not to resist the divine power.

On the place where the relic was found, people built a chapel and after a while, a spacious cathedral - Basilica della Madonna dei sette dolori.

In the middle of the 17th century, it became a parish and was sanctified. And 3 centuries later the Pope endowed it with small basilica status.

The church was always the place of citizens' meeting. They discussed the questions concerning the city. Even after Pescara got a town hall, according to the Magdeburg Law, the locals did not change their habits.

Unfortunately, now the façade of Basilica della Madonna dei sette dolori is slightly different. At the end of the 18th century – the beginning of the 19th, the church was restored. Some pilasters with the Corinthian capitals and the entry group marble facing were added. Also, the year of the first sanctification is engraved on the facade.