The best walks and hikes around Lanciano

Lanciano is famous for the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle and its medieval center spread across three hills. Rich in churches, historic buildings, and culinary traditions such as the Panarda, it represents an important cultural and religious center in the region.

On the main altar of the church is placed the reliquary, containing the testimony of the first Eucharistic miracle.

Basilicata overlooks Piazza Plebiscito with its columns, as if to dominate it.

Basilica majestic in its beauty thanks to its marble and painted interiors, which enrich its magnificence.

One of the few saints highly esteemed outside of Christianity is Saint Francis, known in German-speaking countries as Francis of Assisi. Francis was born in Assisi in 1181/82 and died in 1226. A bon vivant in his youth as the son of wealthy parents, he later turned to Christ. One day, while praying in the half-ruined church of San Damiano, situated on a hillside outside the city walls of Assisi, he heard the voice of Christ coming down from the cross, calling him to "rebuild his Church." At first, he took this request literally and restored the church building. Later, he came to realize that the Church was primarily about the community of believers. Francis became a role model for many people; they joined him, and the "Order of the Friars Minor" (Ordo Fratrum Minorum) of Francis of Assisi was founded. Today, the vast Franciscan order family includes three male branches: the Franciscans, the Friars Minorites, and the Capuchins; and two female branches: the Franciscan nuns and the Poor Clares. In addition, there is the "Third" or "Secular" Order, which is open to women and men who do not take the traditional religious vows (poverty, chastity, and obedience) and continue to live in their families and professions.

The citizens of Lanciano decided around 1390 to build a church in honor of the Madonna and initially called it "Oratorio di Maria Santissima del Ponte" (Eng .: Oratory of the Most Holy Mary of the Bridge), later the church was called "Santa Maria delle Grazie "(Eng .: Holy Mary of Grace) renamed. Probably there was already a place of worship on the site of the church in the 8th century. Around the year 1610, the campanile was built to the left of the entrance and equipped with 5 bells. In the 18th century, the original church was demolished and rebuilt, although the facade in the upper part has not been completed to this day. The church is well worth seeing because it is very well preserved and has some special features that you cannot always recognize at first glance. So you should take your time when visiting and let this beautiful space work on you, it's worth it.

The "San Francesco" church was built between 1252 and 1258 on the remains of the wall of the "San Legonziano" church below, making it one of the first monastery churches in Abruzzo. This place was the alleged site of the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano, which, according to Christian tradition, probably took place here in the 7th century. The facade of the current building in Gothic style has been well preserved over the centuries. The upper part of the church was then rebuilt due to earthquake damage in the first half of the 18th century with elements of different origins as well as with material from an adjacent chapel. All in all a beautiful and impressive church that owes its importance less to its architecture than to the Eucharistic miracle - a visit is definitely worth it.