Blog

The sanctuary of the holy Mary of Merino is situated 7 km north of Vieste. It represents a point of reference for all the devoted people of the city.
The building is in the typical Puglia rocky Mediterranean style, similar to the ancient massserie (typical fortified farmhouses or country houses on an estate).
According to the tradition, the chapel has been built when a wooden statue of the Holy Mary had been found on the neighboring coast.
The oldest part of the sanctuary is the central stage (XI-XIIIth ) erected on the walls belonging to an ancient villa of the Roman era, surrounding archeological ruins of the ancient and mysterious city of Merinum.
All the other chapels have been lately erected over the years 1831, 1861 and 1909. Currently, some walls and a small white chapel have remained. Here, believers reach the statue of the Holy Virgin every May 9th carrying it on their shoulders.
According to the tradition, the fine wooden sculpture from the Byzantine ages, was found by farmers on Scialmarino beach, in an area between Vieste and Peschici. Both groups fought to have the statue until a wise man suggested to put it on a cart pulled by oxen: the statue would have been owed by the citizen of the city the oxen went in the direction of. As their direction was towards Vieste, since then Holy Mary of Merino became Vieste’s protector.