 (99K) 592 x 400 | By ancient tradition, the home of Our Lady from Nazareth is presevers in the shrine of Loreto. |
 (66K) 400 x 592 | The gothic Basilica which contains the Holy House was began in 1469, the facde dates from 1571-1587. |
 (74K) 400 x 592 | The interior of the Basilica is a Latin Cross (93 x 60 meters), with numerous chapels around the outside and the Holy House in the center under the dome. |
 (76K) 592 x 400 | Today a marble casing surrounds the House, built in 1507 on the order of Pope Julius II. |
 (82K) 400 x 592 | According to tradition, in 1291, when the crusaders were expelled from Palastine, the stone house of our lady was transported - legend says by angels - to Croatia, and then to Loreto (Dec. 10, 1294). |
 (77K) 400 x 592 | Today, archeology confirms that the stones of the Holy House are indeed from Narazeth. However, they were probably transported by human inervention (boat). |
 (76K) 400 x 592 | Inside the Holy House, which originally had only 3 walls and no ceiling. (The 4th wall behind the altar and vaulting date from 1536. It measures 9.5 x 4 meters, with the original walls about 3 meters high. |
 (72K) 400 x 592 | Hic Verbum Caro Factum Est - Here the word was made flesh. It was here that the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and Christ was conceived, as well as being where Our Lord grew up during the "hidden years" in Nazareth. |
 (82K) 400 x 592 | Frescoes (19th century) illustrating the life of the Madonna. |
 (45K) 400 x 592 | The stained glass window in the Chapel of the Assumption (American Chapel) with images of American saints. |
 (70K) 400 x 592 | Our Lady of Loreto, patroness of aviation. Note the flying house, pilots and austronauts. |
 (80K) 400 x 592 | The statue in front of the Church from 1589 is Pope Sixtus V. The bronze doors (1590-1610) illustrate biblical events. |
 (76K) 400 x 592 | The Piazza of the Madonna, with the Basilica on the East and the Papal Palace on the North and West, forming the main square for the town. |
 (66K) 592 x 400 | Touring the museum of the sanctuary in the Apostolic Palace. Here a painting of the transport of the house. |
 (99K) 592 x 400 | A series of "rafaelesque" tapestries, based on the actual tapestries of Rafael (which I saw in London). Many on the same scenes of the life of the Apostles, this one of Peter receiveing the keys. |
 (71K) 592 x 400 | A Last Supper |
 (77K) 592 x 400 | Beautiful deposition / adoration of the deceased Christ. Note the Trinity in the center. |
 (67K) 592 x 400 | Fresco from the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist - his symbol is the eagle. He most likely lived with Mary after Christ's death - who he here looks to for inspiration. |
 (75K) 400 x 592 | I saw this picture of the square and basilica on a postcard, so here is my duplication of it. |
 (153K) 592 x 400 | View from the Shrine of Loreto looking towards the Ocean. |
 (89K) 592 x 400 | Rear view of the Basilica and Papal Palace. The exterior of the apse of the basilica - owing to the conditions of the time - was built as a fortress with sentry's walkway. |
 (122K) 592 x 400 | View of the Sanctuary as seen from the city, about 2 miles away/below. The belltower dates from 1751-54. |
 (60K) 400 x 592 | An image of Our Lady of Loreto - unfortunately the 14th century one was destroyed by a fire in 1921. The original wasn't black - but the red fir had darkened over the centuries, so when the new statue was carved from Lebanon cedar a black tint was used - but it cause no sensation since by then everyone was used to seeing a black Madonna of Loreto. |