A basilica with a kick: diving into the mysteries of Basilica of Santa

Nestled outside the Tuscan town of Cortona, Italy, the Basilica of Santa Margherita began as an oratory constructed by the Camaldolese monks in the 11th century. This humble structure was later rebuilt by Margherita di Cortona in 1288 and christened in honor of Saints Basil, Egidius, and the venerable Catherine of Alexandria. Today, the Basilica stands tall as a neo-Gothic style basilica, with a rich history and captivating connections to the town and its past.

Elevated to the status of a minor basilica prior to 1927, the architectural genius behind the church is credited to Powers Enrico Presenti and Mariano Falcini, while Domenico Mirri designed the stunning facade, with Giuseppe Castellucci providing the finishing touch. Intriguingly, the church contains the relics of Margherita di Cortona, along with innumerable artifacts, including a 13th-century crucifix, an altarpiece illustrating Luca Signorelli's Deposition, and a marble statue of the saint herself.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons