Santuari mariani e immagini miracolose sulle Serre calabresi: inventiones e mariofanie tra età moderna e contemporanea

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to analyze three interconnected mountain sanctuaries in Calabria, situated on the Serre massif: the sanctuary of the Madonna di Monserrato in Vallelonga (VV), that of the Madonna delle Grazie in Torre di Ruggiero (CZ), and that of the Madonna della Consolazione in Brognaturo (VV). These shrines are not only geographically close, thus forming part of an interconnected pilgrimage tradition, but also share founding legends dating back to modern times. These legends are associated with one or more apparitions (Torre di Ruggiero and Vallelonga) and an inventio (Brognaturo). The paper will scrutinize the founding legends of these sanctuaries, with a focus on the functions and history of the miraculous images housed there. The aim is to comprehend whether and how the miraculous tradition of these places has evolved over time, encompassing pilgrimages, accounts of miracles, and new manifestations of the divine, within the framework spanning from modernity to the present day.