During the Medieval Period, on the slopes of the hill on which stands the Castle of San Severino Monte in an area called called Pescara, there was a small farm that belonged to Luca Serantoni.
In 1560 the owner of the farm commissioned a local artist, Giangentile of Master Lawrence (1548-1576), to paint a fresco depicting the Virgin & Child on a column at the entrance to his property.
This image of Our Lady and Child, venerated today at the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Lumi, gained its name (Our Lady of Lights) following the extraordinary events that begun on the nights of 16th and 17th January, 1584.
On each night, in an unexplainable way, the image of Our Lady was brilliantly illuminated by a great number of lights which appeared to come from the sky and the surrounding area. This wonderful and mysterious sign was seen by a large number of witnesses and the image began to be venerated with the title of La Madonna dei Lumi (Our Lady of Lights).
Initially a small chapel was built to protect the Madonna dei Lumi and provide a place for prayer and veneration of Our Lady of Lights. Subsequently, in 1657, the current church was constructed and La Madonna dei Lumi became the main Sanctuary to Our Lady of San Severino Marche.
Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Lumi 