Basilica della Santa Casa

Loreto's Basilica of the Holy House was built around the Santa Casa, which Catholic tradition identifies as the house of Mary from Nazareth. Construction began in 1469 and continued through the late sixteenth century. The complex combines a fortified exterior with chapels, frescoes and monumental bronze doors.

Why it matters

The basilica developed around the Santa Casa, a three-walled shrine venerated by pilgrims in Loreto since the late thirteenth century. Its religious importance brought successive papal commissions and shaped the architecture of the sanctuary. The building's defensive walkways reflect the need to protect the shrine and town, while its chapels and artworks express the devotional life that grew around it.

What to notice

Giuliano da Sangallo designed the dome, which was vaulted in 1500. Cesare Maccari's frescoes depict the Lauretan Litanies across its interior. The outer aisle contains thirteen late-Gothic apsidal chapels, known as the chapels of the nations. Three monumental bronze doors were made by Tiburzio Vergelli, Antonio Calcagni and Antonio Lombardo between 1596 and 1610. Near the Holy House stands Girolamo Lombardo's bronze Virgin and Child of 1583.

Context and history

Work began in 1469 under Pope Paul II and continued, with interruptions, until 1587. Giuliano da Maiano designed the apses, Baccio Pontelli planned the defensive walkways and Giuliano da Sangallo designed the dome. Donato Bramante also contributed to the complex and designed the adjoining Palazzo Apostolico. Giovanni Boccalini designed the façade in 1571; it was completed in 1587 under Lattanzio Ventura, with Giovan Battista Ghioldi also credited in the sanctuary's history. Luigi Vanvitelli later completed the Apostolic Palace and added the bell tower between 1770 and 1775. Giuseppe Sacconi led a major restoration campaign from 1884 to 1905.