Church of Santissimo Crocifisso in Pizzorna
A small church, point of reference of the community of the Pizzorne Plateau
The Church of Santissimo Crocifisso is a small mountain church that is an important point of reference for the history and the area of the Pizzorne Plateau, in Villa Basilica.
Its origins go back to 1662, when this small structure was built in the place where an image of the Holy Crucifix had been found. This was made possible by the offerings of the faithful of the parish of Pariana and the work of many volunteers.
The building presents itself with a façade enriched by a covered portico and a small wall belfry. Following the Second World War, the bell was repositioned and rung at sunset to direct lost travellers, victims of bad weather or the night.
This church is also linked to a curious event. There is a small house nearby, where a hermit had always lived off the offerings he received and given food and drink to pilgrims. In 1875, the hermit of the time, Lorenzo Passèri, circulated a piece of paper with the image of the Crucifix and the text of a legend with the intent of restoring faith to the sacred place. It was said that on 1 August of the same year, three lightning bolts struck the church in which five hundred devotees had gathered and they were all miraculously saved. It was also established that every year, on 1 August, a thank you Mass would be celebrated to remember the miracle.
