Castel Di Leva – Sanctuary, Art and Pilgrimage Routes

Castel Di Leva is defined by the Santuario della Madonna del Divino Amore. The sanctuary is located in open countryside at the site of ancient Castel di Leva, between Via Ardeatina and Via Appia Antica. The complex comprises an older church dating from 1745 and a new church dating from 1999. Pope John Paul II consecrated the Nuovo Santuario on 4 July 1999.

Churches, Art and the History of the Sanctuary

The Antico Santuario del Divino Amore was built in 1744 to a design by the Neapolitan architect Filippo Raguzzini. Inside, the sanctuary's devotional image is preserved: a fresco probably created towards the end of the 14th century, apparently attributed to the Roman school, influenced by Byzantine art and rooted in the tradition shaped by Pietro Cavallini. The fresco was formerly located on the Torre del Primo Miracolo of the ancient fortress of Castel di Leva.

The Torre del Primo Miracolo is associated with the tradition of the first miracle of 1740. A pilgrim attacked by wild dogs is said to have survived after calling upon the Madonna. Next to the Santuario Antico, the sala ex voto displays thousands of votive offerings and other religious objects. In the Cripta del Santuario del Divino Amore, located in the cistern of the medieval castle, Don Umberto Terenzi created a church in 1947. Its apse contains a mosaic of the Good Shepherd.

Caves and Open-Air Sites

The complex also includes two natural tufa caves. The Grotta di Lourdes is located a few metres from the Torre del Primo Miracolo and was prepared as a place of worship in 1958. The Grotta di Elia is situated near the foot of the hill opposite the Nuovo Santuario. It is currently closed to the public because of restoration work following a landslide on the slope above.

Pilgrimage Routes and Guided Tours

The Santuario della Madonna del Divino Amore offers pilgrims free guided tours along a route covering history, art, faith and culture. The Via Matris consists of seven stations of sorrow. It begins at the Torre del Primo Miracolo; there, pilgrims pray and recall episodes from the life of the Virgin Mary. A special form of the route is the night pilgrimage: it begins at midnight at Piazza di Porta Capena, is 14 kilometres long and takes place every Saturday from the first Saturday after Easter, travelling on foot along Via Appia Antica to Quo Vadis and then via Via Ardeatina to the sanctuary.

Public Transport from Roma Termini

From Roma Termini station, take Metro Line B to Laurentina, followed by bus 702 towards Ardeatina-Castel di Leva to the Santuario Divino Amore stop. Alternatively, take Metro Line A to San Giovanni and then bus 218 towards Ardeatina-Scuola Padre Formato, also to the Santuario Divino Amore stop. This provides two described travel options for orientation, using different combinations of metro and bus services.

Discover More Destinations

For more destinations on your trip through Italy, you can also explore Poli, Albano Laziale, Aranova, La Massimina-casal Lumbroso, Anzio, Marina Di Ardea, Torre Maura and Osteria Dell'osa .

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