A place of faith and history

The Hermitage Sanctuary of Our Lady of Saiano is a treasure of history and devotion, located in the heart of Romagna. Founded in 1356, the sanctuary is dedicated to Our Lady of Saiano, revered for her intercession and protection.

The Sanctuary of Saiano

The Sanctuary of Saiano rises on a rocky spur 260 meters above sea level, located on the left bank of the Marecchia River, in a strategic position between Montebello, Pietracuta, Verucchio, and San Marino. The name of the site derives from the ancient Romans, who called it “Saxum Jani” or “Rock of Janus,” suggesting the likely presence of a pagan temple dedicated to this deity.

Originally part of the territory and Parish of Pietracuta in the Diocese of Montefeltro, Saiano later passed to the Parish of San Pietro di Montebello. Its name frequently appears in lists of castles that changed rulers over time.

The History of the Castle

The presence of Saiano Castle is documented in a text from 1186. According to Clementini, in the third volume of the history of Rimini, the castle was owned by Galeotto Malatesta in 1370. The castle housed six equal wages of 15 florins per month and contained 10 hearths, with a cylindrical tower used for sightings and signals, allowing visual triangulation between Verucchio, Saiano, Montebello, and San Leo.

The Church

The most significant part of the complex is the Church, a destination for pilgrimages and a place of prayer since the 1300s. In 1356, a sacred place is mentioned where the Our Lady of Saiano was kept, venerated, and celebrated annually. A 1570 episcopal document highlights the ancient Marian tradition of Saiano.

Inside the Church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, there is a plaster statue of the Our Lady (16th century) with the child seated on her knees. Tradition tells that the statue, once moved to the small church of Montebello, would miraculously reappear in Saiano every morning.