Basilica and Sanctuary of San Biagio

The Basilica and Sanctuary of San Biagio is the main place of Catholic worship in the municipality of Maratea, in Basilicata.

It is the religious heart of the local Christian community and guardian of the relics of the patron Biagio.

It is built on the highest point of the old town of Maratea, known as the Castle, and is its parish church.

Tradition has it that it arose on the site of a pagan temple dedicated to Minerva.

In 1940 it was elevated to the dignity of a minor basilica.

Between 1963 and 1969 the church was the subject of a massive restoration work, which erased the architectural stratifications of the church, partially modifying its internal structure and eliminating almost all the works of art present.

The latter, together with the marble altars, were relocated to the church between 1976 and 1982 by the local cultural center.

The statue of the Redeemer or Christ the Redeemer is a sculpture 21.13 meters high and placed on the top of Mount San Biagio in front of the Basilica.

It was made with a particular mixture of cement mixed with Seravezza marble flakes by the Florentine artist Bruno Innocenti between 1963 and 1965.

Map: Basilica and Sanctuary of San Biagio