Four kilometers from the coast of the Adriatic Sea, on the highest hill in the vicinity, one of the most revered shrines of the entire Christian world is located. As if in a precious case, the house of the Virgin Mary, also known as the "holy hut", is placed inside the exquisite late Gothic cathedral.
The history of this house, with its many movements, is complex and intricate, but at the same time beautiful. As you might guess, the Catholic tradition does not allow for a moment to doubt the authenticity of the house, presented to numerous pilgrims. Scientists, who, as a result of numerous examinations, have confirmed the Palestinian origin of the material from which the house is made, partly agree with this. In addition to everything, scientists were also able to establish that the sandstone was mined near the city of Nazareth, in which, according to legend, the Savior was born. Researchers even managed to find out that the crusaders moved this house from the Holy Land completely, as evidenced by the composition of the mortar that binds the bricks, which was very common in Palestine 2000 years ago, but was never used in Italy.
However, whoever transported this house in reality, the legend claims that the angels did carry it from Palestine, but they did not deliver it immediately to the Apennine Peninsula, but lowered it to the ground on the other side of the Adriatic - on the territory of present-day Croatia. And here it is necessary to clarify, scientists really confirm the presence of an intermediate stop on the way in Mark, but it happened in Epirus, a city in the north-west of Greece, which was at that moment under the rule of the great dynasty of Byzantine emperors Angels, they, apparently, and facilitated the relocation of the shrine from war-torn Palestine to safer lands.
To commemorate the relocation of the holy house in Loreto, there is a holiday celebrated on December 10th and is associated with a romantic tradition established many centuries ago by a certain Capuchin monk. On the eve of the holiday, small but numerous bonfires are kindled in Loreto, the appearance of which reminds believers of those fires that illuminated the way for the angels who carried the house from Nazareth to Loreto and circled over it until the beautiful basilica was built.