Cathedral of SANTA MARGHERITA
santa Margherita Ligure
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Cathedral, dedicated to Santa Margherita d’Antioca, was built in 1658 on the site of a pre-existing 13th-century church. Here is also venerated the Nostra Signora della Rosa (Shrine of Our Lady of the Rose), a cult with medieval origins. In 1311, sailors brought to the ancient village an image of the Virgin Mary, depicted holding the baby Jesus and a rose. Venerated in the basilica for centuries, the image was moved to the high altar in 1672, where it still stands today. That same year, an amphora filled with rose-scented water was discovered beneath the altar. This finding was believed to be miraculous for its alleged healing powers. The basilica, designed in Baroque style, has a Latin cross layout with three naves divided by columns and is topped by a dome.
THIS PLACE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE
Every year on July the 20th, the community comes together for a heartfelt celebration honoring Santa Margherita d’Antioca, the town’s patron saint. The day begins with a solemn Eucharistic ceremony and continues in the evening with a moving procession through the historic center, during which the ark bearing the saint’s image is walked through the streets.
The event includes striking visual moments, such as the traditional release of candles into the sea, and the spectacular firing of fireworks along the seafront, all taking place in an atmosphere of strong communal devotion.
Another important occasion is the Feast of the Nostra Signora della Rosa, celebrated on the fifth Sunday after Easter. A solemn mass is held at the parish church of Santa Margherita, followed by acts of devotion. The rose, which symbolize purity and beauty, plays a key role: in fact, worshippers offer roses to Our Lady, which are then blessed as signs of hope and protection. The celebration concludes with a parade through the streets, where the statue of Our Lady is carried on carriers’ shoulders, accompanied by prayers and hymns in a deeply spiritual and shared experience.