Crucifix with the Virgin Mary and St. John
Cent. 19th
This sacred shrine is the only one dedicated to the Crucifix and its painting tells a story of intense devotion. It was completed in 1800 and depicts the Calvary with Jesus on the Cross with the Virgin Mary and St. John at His feet, silently witnessing His sacrifice. The predominant dark green tones evoke the gravity of the moment, while in the stormy sky above flashes with lightning, reflecting the drama of the scene. The background landscape separates the sacred suffering from the earthly world. The date 1937 is written under the icon, marking the restoration work carried out by “Fazio S”. The position of the arch indicates that the shrine was probably commissioned by the owner of the house or by the families living in this alley, a place which was once the centre of the daily routine of work, play and prayer.
The devotion to the Crucifix has its roots in country tradition, where the cross was not just a religious symbol but a powerful amulet. In the rural world, the cross was considered a way of protecting the fields from bad weather, drought and animals. The Crucifix was seen as a guardian to keep evil spirits away. Legend has it that straight after the Crucifix was found at Auricarro, near Palo del Colle, the rain began to fall once again after a long period of drought. Every year, during the pilgrimage and celebration in honour of the Crucifix, the community would gather to pray. In spring and autumn, the families living in the alley would gather beneath the shrine to decorate the altar and recite the rosary, asking for protection and a good harvest. These ceremonies represented a deep bond between daily life and spirituality. The painting, a symbol of protection and hope, continues to be a spiritual reference point for the community, a return to the tradition which binds life to the divine, the earth and the heavens.