Things to see · Churches and sanctuaries
Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre
Castelmezzano (Potenza)
Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre is in Castelmezzano, province of Potenza. Opening hours: Open only for some religious services. Admission: Free entry when open.
- Free entry when open.
- Open only for some religious services.
About this place
Cappella del Santo Sepolcro, also known as the Chapel of the Ascension, is one of the oldest churches in Castelmezzano. It stands just outside the village, among the rocks, near the cemetery.
History
The building may have Byzantine origins, between the 9th and 11th centuries. By 1544 it was already known as the Santo Sepolcro (Holy Sepulchre), because the dead were buried there and the Good Friday services were held there. Between 1895 and 1896 the archpriest, Don Michele Arcangelo Volini, had the first nucleus of the current town cemetery built beside it.
The chapel houses the 14th-century wooden statue of the Madonna dell’Ascensione, linked to a local legend and celebrated on the Sunday of the Ascension.
What to see
• The small church among the rocks, with the 14th-century statue of the Madonna dell’Ascensione.
• Next to the entrance, the remains of ancient steps carved into the rock, similar to those of the more famous Gradinata normanna (Norman Staircase).
• The landscape of pinnacles: the chapel is one of the stops on the Salemm via ferrata (protected climbing route).
How to get there
• On foot: from the centre of Castelmezzano, go down the provincial road towards the cemetery; it takes just a few minutes.
• By car: reached from the SP13; there are parking spaces near the cemetery.
Useful information
• The chapel is almost always closed and opens only for certain religious services.
• Nearby is the information point for the vie ferrate (via ferrata routes).
