The sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin in Castelmonte, Italy.

The sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Castelmonte (Madone of Mont in Friuli, Stara Gora or "ancient mountain" in Slovenian [1]) is located in Castelmonte, a hamlet of Prepotto (UD). It rises 618 m near the Julian Alps, 7 km from Cividale del Friuli. Its origins lie in primitive Christianity. According to a reliable tradition, the place where the sanctuary stands, for its dominant position between the valleys of Natisone and Judrio, was the site of a Roman garrison to defend the city of Forum Iulii (today Cividale del Friuli) from barbarian invasions started in the fifth century. It is supposed that, at first, the sacred place consisted of a small chapel carved into the rock and dedicated to the Madonna and to St. Michael the Archangel. The site of Castelmonte was used by the local population as a refuge for the invaders' descent (Unni, Goti, Longobardi, Avari and Slavi). The place, with the passing of time, and also because of the increasing devotion to the Virgin Mary of the community of nearby Aquileia, went to become a fortified village that surrounded the chapel, with perspective walls, steps and various stone buildings. The first written document that mentions the church dates back to June 16, 1175 when it was named in a document for the sale of some assets in favor of the monastery of Santa Maria Assunta di Cividale. Documents dated 1244 and 1247 attest that Castelmonte was already considered at the time one of the most important localities of the patriarchate of Aquileia, also in terms of economic prosperity. In 1253 the sanctuary was joined to the collegiate chapter of Santa Maria Assunta di Cividale. Other documents give us news of the works carried out at the village and the sanctuary in the years 1296-1360 and 1410-1432. The sanctuary in 1469 was destroyed by a fire that broke out due to a thunderbolt that hit the bell tower; on that occasion also burned the wooden statue of the Madonna. The temple was rebuilt in 1479 and, inside, a new statue was laid