Basilica of Pugliano

The church that opens onto Pugliano Square, now restored to its former glory, has been a papal basilica since 1574. An ancient tradition, unsupported by historical data, recalls St. Peter's passage through Resina. Secure sources document us the existence and celebrity of the sanctuary at least from the 11th century. In its present form the basilica dates from the five-sixteenth century, and only the beautiful bell tower remains of the original facade. A plaque in Latin commemorates the great indulgences granted by Pope Gregory XIII in 1579 and another, the visit Pius IX made to the shrine in 1849. Of great historical value is a Madonna and Child, carved in Vesuvian stone: it dates from the 1500s, and may be one of the oldest images of the virgin venerated in Pugliano. Inside are two 14th-century wood carvings, the venerated statue of Our Lady of Grace placed on the high altar, and, in a chapel, the Black Crucifix. The baptismal font is an ancient "labrum" (small basin) adapted to a baptistery in 1425, as attested by the inscription on the rim of the font. Two other 16th-century statues represent St. Peter and St. Aspreno. The so-called Madonna of "Ampellone" or "Madonna Antica," was worshipped until the fourteenth century, as it was believed to be a ninth-century Byzantine panel. In reality it is an 18th-century canvas pasted on wood. In the chapel of St. Anthony, on the right wall, are walled up two pagan sarcophagi from the 2nd and 4th centuries AD, respectively, which were adapted to altars until the 16th century. Of fine wooden workmanship are the pulpit (1685) and the sacristy, which contains solid walnut cabinets.