Basilica of Don Bosco
The Basilica stands on Colle Don Bosco in the locality of Morialdo, a hamlet of Castelnuovo Don Bosco.
It was built between 1961 and 1966, on a design by the engineer Enea Ronca and architect Rubatto, in the place where S. Giovanni Bosco was born.
It consists of two superimposed churches: the upper church, in neo classical lines, is characterized by the presence of a large pipe organ; above the presbytery is the wooden statue of linden of Christ the Redeemer Resurrected by the sculptor Corrado Piazza.
The work, 8 meters high, is a reminder of the dream that Don Bosco had at the age of 9 and who presaged his mission: to help and educate children.
To see, in the side aisles, the fourteen wooden sculptures made by Giovanni Dragoni that make up the “via lucis”.
In the crypt there is the relic of the saint, a part of the brain, which was stolen on 2 June 2017 and then rediscovered in the following two weeks.
In the lower church there are ten side chapels, with as many altars, where we find the saints of the Salesian tradition reproduced.
The building was raised to a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI on 12 April 2010.
The Basilica of Don Bosco is a pilgrimage destination from all over the world.
See also...
• Events in Castelnuovo Don Bosco
• Castelnuovo Don Bosco tourist guide
