The Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Avvocata above Maiori
Located on Mount Falerzio, at about 900 meters above sea level, the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Avvocata above Maiori is an important pilgrimage site. Beyond its spiritual dimension, it stands on a wide plateau from which visitors can enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the entire Amalfi Coast.
Its construction is linked to an apparition of the Virgin Mary to a young shepherd. One afternoon in November 1485, a shepherd from Maiori named Gabriele Cinnamo, while tending his flock on Mount Falerzio, discovered a cave. After several visions and a dream in which the Virgin Mary asked him to build a chapel in that very place, he decided to abandon his work as a shepherd, put on a rough habit, and began a new life, taking the name Brother Gabriele. After obtaining authorization from the Benedictine abbot of Santa Maria de Olearia in Maiori, he built an altar dedicated to the Madonna under the title of Avvocata inside the cave. In 1503, with the consent of Pope Leo X, a church was built on the rock above the cave, followed later by the bell tower.
In the following years, several hermits took care of the sacred site, while devotion to the Madonna Avvocata spread among the coastal fishing villages. On April 21, 1590, a small statue of the Virgin was placed on Mount Falerzio as protector of sailors, accompanied by popular accounts of miraculous events and healings attributed to her intercession. In 1687 the sanctuary passed to the Camaldolese monks, who stayed there until 1807, when Joseph Bonaparte suppressed the monastic orders by decree. Afterwards, bad weather and a fire destroyed what remained of the sanctuary. Only at the end of the nineteenth century, thanks to the devotion of the people of Maiori and the monks of the Abbey of Cava de’ Tirreni, was the complex restored and returned to its original function.
The church stands out for its simple façade made of red bricks. Inside, some frescoes depict Saint Romuald and the Madonna Assumed into Heaven. Above the main altar, in a niche, stands the new statue of the Madonna, created in the 1940s by skilled artisans from Ortisei and blessed by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square on April 3, 2002. From May to October, Holy Mass is celebrated here on the third Sunday of each month.
The sanctuary is a pilgrimage destination, especially in summer. The most eagerly awaited moment of the year is Pentecost Monday, the day of the Feast of the Avvocata. On this occasion, hundreds of devotees gather to climb to the sanctuary to the rhythm of the tammorre (a percussion instrument typical of Campania’s musical tradition). The ascent usually begins on Sunday, with an overnight stop along the way, before completing the pilgrimage at dawn on Monday. At noon, the singing and dancing stop and, at the ringing of the bells, the procession of the Madonna begins. Along the entire route, countless followers shower the statue with rose petals, shouting “Long live Mary!” The celebration then continues until evening with music, songs, and dancing.
For trekking enthusiasts, the sanctuary is also the destination of a scenic hiking trail. The most commonly used route starts from the Abbey of the Holy Trinity in Cava de’ Tirreni, but there are also shorter paths starting from Maiori, Erchie, and Cetara. It is a rather demanding and tiring route, but one that richly rewards the effort with breathtaking landscapes of extraordinary beauty.
Visiting the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Avvocata means immersing yourself in a unique dimension of the Amalfi Coast, where nature, history, and spirituality come together in a fascinating experience.
Photo © Salvatore Guadagno
