Shrine of Syracuse

The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Tears in Syracuse: An Icon of Faith and Architecture

Steeped in history and spirituality, the Basilica Santuario Madonna delle Lacrime in Syracuse stands majestically as a symbol of faith and modern architecture.
This Marian shrine, which commemorates the miraculous tearing of an effigy of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1953, is a place of pilgrimage and architectural wonder, attracting visitors from all over the world.

An International Competition for a Unique Project

For the construction of the shrine, an international competition was organized in which 100 architects from 17 different nations participated.
Triumphing were two French architects, Michel Andrualt and Pierre Parat, whose design was chosen for its extraordinary ability to combine spirituality and modernity.
Work began in 1988 and culminated with the inauguration of the shrine on Nov. 6, 1994, by St. John Paul II, at the invitation of Archbishop Giuseppe Costanzo, now Archbishop Emeritus of Syracuse.

A Colossus of Faith

The Sanctuary, with a height of about 103 meters and a diameter of 71.40 meters, is one of the most impressive churches in the world.
The structure can accommodate up to 6,000 people standing and about 4,000 seated.
The huge ceremonial hall, clad in marble, reflects light in a symbolism reminiscent of the morning star, Mary, preluding the rising of the sun, Jesus.

Symbolism and Architecture

The shape of the shrine is rich in symbolic meanings.
Architects Andrualt and Parat wanted to represent the elevation of humanity toward God.
Some see in its shape a lighthouse, a symbol of Mary guiding to the port of Jesus; others a tent, welcoming the faithful under the Mother’s protection.
Still others see in it a teardrop, recalling the miracle from which the shrine originated.
At the top of the structure, a gilded bronze statue of Our Lady, 3 meters high and weighing 600 kilograms, welcomes visitors with outstretched arms, as if to embrace them and lead them to the Father’s house.

The Altar and the Miraculous Picture

The centerpiece of the shrine is the altar, by sculptor Giancarlo Marchese, which represents “New Heavens and New Earth.”
The altar, with a bronze base decorated with scenes from the Apocalypse and a Modica stone mensa, invites reflection on the mystery of faith.
Behind the altar, the wall houses the Painting of Our Lady of Tears, kept in a shrine representing the spiritual heart of the shrine.

The Chapels and the Gateway

The shrine houses 16 chapels, each with a special dedication.
These include the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, and the Chapel of St. Pio of Pietralcina, which holds precious relics.
The majestic entrance door, made entirely of bronze and the work of sculptor Giacomo Albano, symbolizes Jesus as the door that leads to the Father.

The Crypt and the Byzantine Hypogeum

The Crypt, opened in 1968, offers a place of recollection and prayer with its dedicated chapels and central altar on red granite pavement.
There is also a Byzantine hypogeum here, evidence of the site’s thousand-year history.

The Museum of Lacrimation

The Lacrimation Museum collects unique artifacts related to the 1953 miracle, including the pipette and slide used for tear analysis, and precious gifts made to Our Lady for grace received.
A special area of the museum is dedicated to the memorial of St. John Paul II.

A Shrine of International Significance

In 2002, John Paul II elevated the shrine to the dignity of a minor basilica, and in 2019 the Sicilian Bishops’ Conference erected it as a regional shrine.
Today, the Basilica Santuario Madonna delle Lacrime is not only a place of worship, but also a symbol of hope and peace, a spiritual beacon that continues to guide and inspire the faithful around the world.