The Sanctuary of the Mentorella stands at over 1,000 metres above sea level on a rocky spur of the Prenestini mountains, in the territory of Capranica Prenestina, not far from San Vito Romano. It is considered the oldest Marian sanctuary in Italy: tradition holds it was founded by Constantine in the 4th century, on the very spot where the Roman tribune Placidus is said to have converted.
According to legend, Placidus was a Roman general who, during a hunting trip, chased a magnificent stag for hours until the animal stopped on a sheer cliff and, turning towards him, revealed a crucifix shining between its antlers that spoke to him: “Placidus, why do you persecute me? I am Jesus, whom you honour without knowing it.” Struck by the vision, Placidus converted and took the name Eustace; he left the army, lost all his possessions after emigrating to Egypt, and was eventually martyred by order of the emperor Hadrian.
In the 6th century the sanctuary was given to Benedictine monks and remained for centuries under the Abbey of Subiaco. Abandoned and left to decay, it was rediscovered and restored in the 17th century by the Jesuit Athanasius Kircher, to whom much of the complex’s current appearance is owed.
Perched among the rocks, with its entrance reachable only on foot along a mountain path, the sanctuary offers one of the most spectacular views in the area, looking out over the valley below towards the Prenestini and Simbruini mountains. Still today it is a destination for pilgrims and hikers alike, and remains one of the most striking places near San Vito Romano.
Opening hours and contacts
The sanctuary is open every day, weekdays and public holidays alike, from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Mass times:
- Monday to Saturday: 4:00 pm;
- Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm and 5:00 pm;
- first Saturday of the month: 5:00 pm (Mass for the sick).
Phone: +39 06 9547 1899
Opening hours may change: it is best to check them before setting off.
Sources: Sanctuary of the Mentorella for opening hours and Mass times, Congregation of the Resurrection for contact details (checked in October 2026).
Photo: Laky 1970, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.