Misericordia between Sanctuary, Frescoes and the Sabine Hills

Misericordia between Sacred Art and the Sabine Hills

Misericordia combines an important religious building with artistic imagery, local traditions and a cycling tour through the Sabine Hills. This creates a destination whose appeal is particularly revealed through its specific sites: the Madonna della Misericordia Sanctuary is located on Via Provinciale Stazione, while a cycling tour of approximately 50 kilometres through the Sabine Hills passes through Misericordia. The route uses lightly trafficked roads surrounded by greenery and also mentions Fuori Dazio as a place name.

The Madonna della Misericordia Sanctuary

On the central wall of the presbytery is the miraculous image of the Madonna with the Child Jesus and Saint Anthony the Abbot. On the right wall of the presbytery, the Annunciation of the angel to Mary is depicted as a scene; on the left wall, the Visitation of Mary to Saint Elizabeth appears. The altarpiece on the right side altar shows the Madonna with the Child Jesus, Saint Joseph, Saints Joachim and Anne, as well as the young Saint John the Baptist. The left side altar depicts the Descent from the Cross.

The church has frescoes depicting the Stations of the Cross on both side walls. The ceiling also takes up the religious tradition: it features a fresco of the reported miracle, depicting the image, Lucia Del Bufalo and people from the local population. The image shows the Madonna, the Child Jesus and Saint Anthony the Abbot. The miraculous image was solemnly crowned on 29 June 1890 by Bishop Paolo De Santis.

Architecture and Colour Effects

The sanctuary was designed and built by the architect Angelo Sani in simple classical forms. The altar of the Madonna della Misericordia Sanctuary, framed with stucco and bricks, surrounds a painting with Umbrian influences from the 15th to the 16th century. Wall decoration in ivory and pale green tones is complemented by delicate golden accents. Thus, clear architectural forms, restrained colours and numerous figurative depictions come together in a precisely defined sacred space.

Feasts and Traces Beneath the Earth

The tradition of the Madonna della Misericordia includes two annual feast days on 23 January and 27 June. In the La Misericordia area near the church of the same name, an ancient underground Roman aqueduct was also discovered. This waterworks includes a 16-metre-deep well, at the bottom of which two aqueduct tunnels begin in opposite directions. This combination of religious history and Roman hydraulic engineering gives Misericordia an unusually multifaceted profile.

Cycling Tour and Local Orientation

Anyone wishing to explore the Sabine Hills by bicycle will find a route of approximately 50 kilometres that passes through Misericordia and uses lightly trafficked roads surrounded by greenery. Further orientation is provided by bus route 1 operated by Autolinee Troiani: it connects Poggio Mirteto FS with Ponte Garibaldi Cap. and includes the Misericordia stop.

More places for planning your trip to Italy: Belmonte In Sabina, Roccaranieri, Ornaro, Vacone, Greccio, Posta, Stimigliano, Contigliano.

For the overarching travel overview: Rieti.