| On old maps it is called "Santa Maria del Monte." It is a hermitage built by Cistercian and Benedictine monks from the monastery of Santa Maria depended Arabona in Manoppello Station.
The venerated image of the Virgin, represented on the throne with the infant Jesus on her lap and the royal scepter in his hand, is carved in wood and dates back to centuries. XV. The Virgin is invoked by the people with the title "Our Lady of Poker" because it has the scepter (club) in hand.
Popular devotion honors Mary bringing it back every year, in the parish church of St. Andrew for the celebration of the Marian month (May).
The first Sunday of July, accompanied by a motorcade, is shown in the mountain church dedicated to her. During the summer, in the sanctuary, the Holy Mass is celebrated on Sunday afternoon, with great concourse of pilgrims and tourists.
Today the hermitage near the church was renovated and is available for overnight stays. |