Temple MONTEVERGINE is located in the municipality of Mercogliano in the Italian region Campania, in 35 miles East of Naples. It was built on the site of the temple of the goddess Cybele on the mountain MONTEVERGINE at a height of 1270 metres above sea level – in good weather you can see the entire Bay of Naples, Vesuvius and Up the valley.

The temple is closely linked with the history of a young pilgrim Guglielmo da Vercelli, who, struck with the beauty of the Apennine mountains, decided to settle on MONTEVERGINE. Later the appearance of Christ inspired him to build a temple dedicated to the virgin Mary, it was built in 1124, the year, and for several centuries it was rebuilt several times until it acquired its present appearance. Today, the religious complex consists of the old Basilica, a new Basilica in neo-Gothic style, built in 1961 year, the monastery of the space, the bell tower and the crypt. Within the stored range of values, including the Byzantine canopy of the 12th century, the monument to Catherine Filangieri the 15th century and the old altar, not to mention the thousands of gifts brought by the black Madonna – Mamma Schiavone. Her image appeared in the temple in the 14th century.

All year round in the temple of MONTEVERGINE masses of pilgrims, whose number increases many times during the festival Candelora, combining elements of pagan and Christian festivities honoring. The festival is held in February: the faithful climb the mountain MONTEVERGINE singing and dancing. Heroes of the festivities are the so-called "femminielli", fans of the Mamma Schiavona, which, according to legend, in the 13th century saved a couple of young gay men, banished from the city and chained to a rock.