Castel Di Leva: Santuario del Divino Amore and Pilgrimage Routes

The Santuario della Madonna del Divino Amore is located in Castel di Leva between Via Ardeatina and Via Appia Antica. It stands in open countryside on the site of ancient Castel di Leva. The sanctuary offers pilgrims free guided tours along a route exploring its history, art, faith, and culture.

Churches, Art, and History

The Antico Santuario del Divino Amore was built in 1744 to a design by Neapolitan architect Filippo Raguzzini. Pope John Paul II consecrated the Nuovo Santuario on July 4, 1999. The two names lead to different chapters in the sanctuary’s history: its earlier architectural history and the later church.

The devotional image is a fresco that was probably created toward the end of the 14th century. It is apparently attributed to the Roman school; it is influenced by Byzantine art and belongs to the tradition shaped by Pietro Cavallini. The fresco of the Divino Amore is now kept in the Santuario Antico. It was formerly located on the Torre del Primo Miracolo of the ancient fortress of Castel di Leva.

The Torre del Primo Miracolo is associated with the account of the first miracle in 1740: a pilgrim attacked by wild dogs survived after calling upon the Madonna. Alongside the Santuario Antico, the sala ex voto displays thousands of votive offerings and other religious objects. The collection illustrates the religious practice of making votive offerings at this site, though not every offering necessarily tells the same story.

The Cripta del Santuario del Divino Amore is located in the cistern of the medieval castle. Don Umberto Terenzi converted it into a church in 1947. A mosaic of the Good Shepherd can be seen in the apse. Its former use as a cistern and its later conversion give the Cripta its own historical layers within the sanctuary.

Places of Worship and Routes

The Via Matris begins at the Torre del Primo Miracolo. Pilgrims pray along it and recall episodes from the life of the Virgin Mary; it comprises seven sorrowful stations. The Chiesa a cielo aperto is also on the hill, 100 meters from the Torre. Since September 25, 2004, it has been dedicated to Rome’s first martyr, Blessed Zeffirino.

There are two natural tuff caves near the sanctuary. The Grotta di Lourdes is a few meters from the Torre del Primo Miracolo and was prepared as a place of worship in 1958. The Grotta di Elia lies near the foot of the hill, opposite the Nuovo Santuario. As of August 31, 2026, it is closed to the public for restoration work following a landslide on the slope above. Check current access before visiting.

The nighttime pilgrimage begins at midnight in Piazza di Porta Capena. It is 14 kilometers long and takes place every Saturday from the first Saturday after Easter. The route runs from Porta Capena along Via Appia Antica to the Quo Vadis, then along Via Ardeatina to the sanctuary. Check the seasonal dates before traveling.

Getting There by Public Transport

Route information from 2024 lists two public transport options from Roma Termini station. One takes Metro Line B to Laurentina, then bus 702 toward Ardeatina-Castel di Leva to the Santuario Divino Amore stop. The alternative takes Metro Line A to San Giovanni, then bus 218 toward Ardeatina-Scuola Padre Formato to the Santuario Divino Amore stop. Before setting out, check whether the lines and stops are still suitable for your journey.

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