Loreto (/ləˈrɛtoʊ/ lə-RET-oh,[3] US also /ləˈreɪtoʊ/ lə-RAY-toh,[4] Italian: [loˈreːto]) is a hill town and comune of the Italian province of Ancona, in the Marche. It is most commonly known as the seat of the Basilica della Santa Casa, a popular Catholic pilgrimage site.
Loreto | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Loreto | |
 Piazza della Madonna with façade of the Basilica | |
 Coat of arms | |
Location of Loreto  | |
  Loreto Location of Loreto in Italy  Loreto Loreto (Marche) | |
| Coordinates: 43°26′20″N 13°36′31″E / 43.43889°N 13.60861°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Marche |
| Province | Ancona (AN) |
| Frazioni | Costabianca, Grotte, Stazione, Villa Berghigna, Villa Costantina, Villa Musone, Villa Papa |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Paolo Niccoletti |
| Area | |
| • Total | 17.69 km2 (6.83 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 127 m (417 ft) |
| Population (28 February 2009)[2] | |
| • Total | 12,278 |
| • Density | 690/km2 (1,800/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Loretani or Lauretani |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 60025 |
| Dialing code | 071 |
| Patron saint | Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Saint day | 10 December |
| Website | Official website |
Location
Loreto is located 127 meters (417 feet) above sea level on the right bank of the Musone river and 22 kilometers (14 miles) by rail south-southeast of Ancona; like many places in the Marche, it provides good views from the Apennines to the Adriatic.
Main sights
The city's main monuments occupy the four sides of the piazza: the college of the Jesuits; the Palazzo Comunale (formerly the Palazzo Apostolico), designed by Bramante, that houses an art gallery with works of Lorenzo Lotto, Vouet and Annibale Carracci as well as a collection of maiolica, and the Shrine of the Holy House (Santuario della Santa Casa). It also boasts a massive line of walls, designed by the architect (and military engineer) Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, which were erected from 1518 and reinforced in the 17th century.
Gallery
The Basilica della Santa Casa from behind
The Basilica della Santa Casa
Twin towns and sister cities
See also
References
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Loreto (Italy)". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 7.
- Notes
External links
