S. Michele Arcangelo : The sanctuary in the mountain

The itinerary to reach the sanctuary is ancient and beautiful. After walking around the majestic Laolatra Rock, visitors can pass trough paths overlooking valleys and the sea where to walk silently, with only the flight of a wanderer hawk or of a sparrow hawk flying over fields of wild flowers and orchids.

Dominated by Monte Altino and the unmistakable round summit of the Redentore’s peak the Gulf of Gaeta was chosen by the town’s bishop Giovanni as the site for an oratorium dedicated to S. Michael Archangel in 830.

In ancient times, the sanctuary was a place privileged by hermits coming down here to pray Archangel Michael.

        The Sanctuary

The mountain marked the border between the dukedom of Gaeta , the lands under the jurisdiction of Montecassino and the Longobard territories of Aquino. Following Via della Montagna from maranola to Pornito (819 mt) visitors can then proceed on foot to the cave (1100 mt) where the Neo-Gothic facade of the sanctuary reconstructed in 1895 is set.

The harsh and sharp side of the mountain reflects the simplicity and beauty of the small sanctuary, where nature has allowed man to build up only a little church in the cave: a closed cavern with a gothic style front side.

The pure, crystal clear spring water which oozes out from the cave walls is said to be miraculous and is collected in an external water tub used by peregrines and animal as a pleasant refreshment to relieve the thirst.

During the summer months a stone statue of S.Michael made by Pompeo Ferrucci (1566-1687) is placed in a niche in the altar after being brought from Maranola in July during the Scalata di S. Michele, a religious pilgrimage which ends with the distribution of bread and cheese. This is a annual tradition for the many people who works in the mountains during the summer.

Above the sanctuary lies the chapel with statue of Christ the Redeemer (1252 mt). It took 40 days to transport it to this site and the monument was inaugurated during 1901 to celebrate and greet the new century. The natural terrace of Mount Redentore, high over Gaeta Gulf, offer a wonderful view blessed by Jesus Christ statue.

It was a decision by Pope Leone 13th to place the monument here. Once reached this place on the top of the mountain, you can easily understand why this place was chosen as a place where to leave the symbol of Jesus Christ and live the illusion that sky, land and sea touch each other.