Madonna dell’Arco and the Byzantine Interface in Southern Italy

Authors

Elliot Wise, Brigham Young University
Dr. Mark J. Johnson, Brigham Young University

Keywords

Madonna dell'Arco, Byzantine interface, southern Italy

College

Fine Arts and Communications

Department

Art

Abstract

The cult of Madonna dell’Arco is centered at a large pilgrimage church several miles outside the city of Naples on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. The shrine attracts thousands of pilgrims every year who come from all over the Campania region of southern Italy to venerate a miracle-working fresco of the Virgin and Child. This image of Madonna dell’Arco, or the “Madonna of the Arch,” first gained its reputation for supernatural powers in the 1450s. The fresco originally stood in a roadside shrine near the ruined arches of a Roman aqueduct. One day, an angry boy who had lost a game threw a ball viciously at the painting of the Madonna and Child. To his astonishment, the Virgin began to bleed from the spot where the ball had bruised her left cheek. Since then, faithful Italians have flocked to Madonna dell’Arco’s shrine to pray for miracles and leave painted votive tablets as offerings.

Recommended Citation

Wise, Elliot and Johnson, Dr. Mark J. (2013) "Madonna dell’Arco and the Byzantine Interface in Southern Italy," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 2108.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2108