Sanctuary of San Calogero in Naro
The Sanctuary of San Calogero in Naro is an important place of worship in the city and is a destination for pilgrimages by numerous faithful. It stands above the cave where, according to tradition, the black saint lived for part of his life.
The current structure was built in 1599 but, from the writings found, it is certain that this place of worship already existed in 1088.
The façade, revived several times, is in Baroque style.
The interior, with a single nave, houses several paintings, some of which are canvases depicting Saint Francis, the Pietà and Saint Lorenzo Giustiniani.< br>From the sanctuary it is possible to access the cave of San Calogero, a chapel where the statue of the black saint is preserved, a work by F. Frazzatta and his daughter from 1556. Inside the chapel he is also buried the body of the venerable Sister Serafina Pulcella Lucchesi, a noblewoman from Naro who, according to legend, saw San Calogero in a dream announcing to her the end of the plague that struck the city in the 17th century.
In the left part of the chapel is the true and own cave where the saint lived for part of his life. Inside this cave there is a fresco depicting the saint kneeling in prayer and numerous votive offerings.
