Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Incaldana, Mondragone, Italy

Origins: The Carafa Church

The origin of the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Incaldana can be traced back to the 16th century, when it was built under the patronage of the Carafa family, princes of Stigliano and dukes of Mondragone. According to an episcopal bull preserved in the diocesan archive of Sessa Aurunca, the church was initially under the patronage of Luigi Carafa, who was described as “most excellent and illustrious,” and was recognized for his role as prince of Stigliano and duke of Mondragone. At the time, the church was incomplete, lacking necessary adornments and furnishings. By 1589, the existence of a “canonica” (or canonical residence) dedicated to San Giovanni Battista was noted, and its construction had been entrusted to the heirs of Luigi Carafa, who died in 1579. From its early beginnings, the church was endowed with the office of an episcopal primicerius and five canons. The church was built upon a pre-existing Gothic church from the 14th century. Recent archaeological discoveries near the presbytery, including a column and several stone pillars, have revealed remnants of the earlier Gothic structure.

The Madonna Incaldana: The Birth of the Sanctuary

The Madonna Incaldana, the patroness of Mondragone, is housed within the Sanctuary. The painting of the Madonna, which is at the center of the Sanctuary’s devotion, has an air of mystery and legend. It is a Byzantine-style icon, depicting the Madonna seated with the infant Jesus in her arms, blessing and breastfeeding at her right breast. The icon, known as the Incaldana (from “in caldana,” referring to the nearby thermal waters), was likely created by a Benedictine monk in the 14th century. The painting was initially kept in the Chiesetta del Belvedere, a 13th-century chapel located at the foot of the Monte Massico mountain range, where it was referred to as the “Madonna del Belvedere.”

The painting miraculously survived a fire caused by Ottoman Turks. Fearing further attacks, the icon was relocated to Mondragone, to the fortified center of the town, and placed in the Mother Church of San Giovanni Battista, which would later be known as the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Incaldana. In 1624, a legendary event occurred when the icon was transferred to the Sanctuary. According to tradition, the icon was placed on a cart pulled by two oxen, and the oxen were left to find their own way. They arrived in Mondragone and, upon reaching the churchyard of the Sanctuary, they died. The oxen are said to have been buried under the churchyard, and the icon has remained in the Sanctuary ever since.

The Grillo Family and the New Sanctuary

Following the Carafa family’s decline, the Grillo family took over as the feudal lords of Mondragone. The first significant intervention in the church took place in the early 18th century, during the reign of Don Agapito IV Domenico Grillo. This period saw the expansion and embellishment of the church, and the donation of relics from saints, including Sant’Agapito, San Dioscoro, and Sant’Aiello, which were placed in the high altar and the altar of the Madonna Incaldana. The church was consecrated on April 14, 1727. In the mid-18th century, additional works, including the frescoes and stuccoes in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, were created. Much of the current appearance of the church is due to these 18th-century interventions. In 1741, the parish was formally established under the title “San Michele Arcangelo intra moenia,” meaning “Saint Michael the Archangel within the walls.”

Subsequent Developments: From the Unification of Italy to the Modern Era

In the post-unification period (1866–1900), ecclesiastical assets were confiscated, leading to the decline and eventual suppression of the collegiate status of the church. However, in 1953, the title of “Collegiate Church of San Giovanni Battista” was restored, and the position of primicerius was reestablished for the parish priest-rector of the Sanctuary. Throughout the 19th century, the church underwent further embellishment, including the restoration of the main external façade and the addition of three portals made from local grey marble, known as “San Mauro” marble. These features are still present today.

In the 20th century, additional internal restorations were undertaken, including the restoration of the flooring and the creation of two frescoes in 1927 depicting the Pentecost and Ascension. A new high altar made of precious marble replaced the older altar in the 1960s. These changes resulted in the central apse area being notably altered, with only the large altarpiece remaining as one of the original elements from the 18th century. In 1990, the Sanctuary was awarded the title of “minor basilica” by Monsignor Raffaele Nogaro, the diocesan bishop. The decree was signed on March 23, 1990, during the patronal feast days, and a marble plaque was placed on the façade of the Sanctuary to commemorate the event.

Restoration Efforts

Following years of neglect and deterioration, the Sanctuary underwent an extensive restoration that was approved by the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape of the provinces of Caserta and Benevento in November 2016. The restoration, completed in 2018, focused on the interior of the building. This involved repainting damaged plaster, restoring stucco decorations, and brightening the interior with new colors, such as white and pale indigo. Additionally, the internal pews were replaced, a new lighting system was installed, and dehumidifiers were added to improve the overall environment of the church.

Recent Developments

On February 3, 2019, the Sanctuary’s Holy Mass was broadcast live on Rai 1. The service was celebrated by Monsignor Orazio Francesco Piazza, bishop of Sessa Aurunca, and directed by Michele Totaro, with commentary by Elena Bolasco. Today, the Sanctuary continues to be a place of pilgrimage, rich in history and legend, serving as a spiritual center for the people of Mondragone and beyond.