Of flying houses and praying pilots.

The Basilica in Loreto – a colossal bastion of Catholic kitsch. An architectural marvel that pretends to be a gateway to heaven, but is actually just a pilgrimage destination for the masses. In its magnificent halls, everything revolves around the "Santa Casa" – the house of Nazareth, supposedly brought to life by angelic powers. The basilica was built around a small house; it's monumental and impressive, and the shrine surrounding the house leaves you speechless.

The masterful works of the ancient artists amaze and almost make you believe in miracles. Whether faith or a PR stunt, the building attracts pilgrims like a lighthouse attracts darkness. Magnificent, baroque, a monument to credulity.

The Basilica in Loreto is not only a stronghold of faith, but also the heavenly headquarters for all those who love to take flight: Pilots, and if things go wrong, parachutists too, have their patron saint here, the Madonna di Loreto. When the engines fail or the parachutes fail, things get heavenly serious here: a quick greeting to the Madonna and off we go – in free fall or in climb, but never without her blessing!

Remember: when a pilot calls on Our Lady of Loreto for help, the ground could be moving toward you much faster than the flight plan allows.

Note: It is not yet clear whether the patronage protection also covers the Flying Spaghetti Monster.