Shrine of the Santa Spina
Place of worship
Santuario della Santa Spina, Petilia Policastro - Regione Calabria
The Shrine of the Holy Thorn is located in Petilia Policastro, in the province of Crotone.
Built in the 17th century on a rise a few kilometres from the centre, it is now a monumental building with a central nave. Inside are important works of art, such as a painting of the Virgin by Guido Reni, a Deposition by Mattia Preti and the precious relic from which it takes its name.
In fact, the arrival of the Holy Thorn of the Crown of Jesus dates back to the 16th century, the story of which begins in 1498, when Queen Joan of Valois of France donated it to her personal confessor, a native of Petilia Policastro, who had it brought to the town at her former Franciscan convent of origin.
Immediately there was great devotion, which was followed by a pilgrimage of faithful from Petilia and the entire province of Crotone to the relic.
The Procession of the Holy Thorn, linked to the annual festivities, still takes place on the second Friday of March and involves a re-enactment in costume across the ancient 16th-century bridge, built precisely to facilitate the passage of the figures.
Connected to the pilgrimage is the Santa Spina Path, a true religious-naturalistic itinerary marked by stages.
