Just over an hour by train from Rome lies Nettuno, a charming coastal town that is home to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces and Saint Maria Goretti. This basilica, located next to the beach, contains the remains of Saint Maria Goretti, a young martyr canonized for her purity and forgiveness.
How to Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces and Saint Maria Goretti
Reaching Nettuno from Rome is very easy. From Roma Termini train station, Trenitalia offers regular direct trains to Nettuno. The journey takes approximately one hour and 11 minutes, with ticket prices of around €8 for a round trip. Trains run hourly throughout the day, making it an easy day trip from the Italian capital. You can plan your itinerary and purchase tickets directly through the official Trenitalia website or right at the train terminals.
Upon arriving at Nettuno train station, exit the main doors and head left until you reach the main road. Walk straight toward the coast—the basilica stands at the end of this seaside promenade next to the beach. It takes less than 10 minutes to walk from Nettuno train station to the church
The sanctuary dates back to the 16th century and was built on the site of an earlier church. Today, it is a minor basilica, recognized for its spiritual and historical significance. Tradition holds that during the English Persecution, the statue of Our Lady of Graces was surreptitiously taken to an English port and from there shipped to Italy on a boat bound for Naples.
The statue arrived in Nettuno in 1550 when the ship lost control and was driven onto its shores. Still carrying the statue of the Blessed Virgin onboard and in calm weather, three attempts were made to set sail again, but each time, a sudden storm forced the ship back to Nettuno. Taking this as a sign from Heaven, the sailors decided to leave the statue in Nettuno. It was handed over to the people of Nettuno by the crew, and the ship then sailed safely for Naples.
Saint Maria Goretti’s Tomb
In the basement of the sanctuary, you will find the crypt where Saint Maria Goretti’s body lies in repose. The remains of Marietta (as her mother called her) were transferred to the sanctuary in 1929, and she was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950. A visit to the crypt offers pilgrims the opportunity to pray and reflect at the tomb of this remarkable young saint.
Upstairs, there are additional exhibits, including relics, photographs, and items from Maria’s life, inviting visitors to learn more about the young saint.
The place where Saint Maria Goretti died—her family’s home at Le Ferriere, province of Latina—is about 10 km (six miles) from Nettuno. This short distance can be covered by car or taxi in approximately 20–25 minutes, or by local bus. Le Ferriere is the location of the “Cascina Antica,” the farmhouse where the tragic events of July 5, 1902, took place and where Maria was mortally wounded before she was taken to the hospital and died the next day.
Saint Maria Goretti is the patron saint of chastity, purity, and youth, especially for young girls and teenagers. Her life and martyrdom have made her a powerful model of purity, mercy, and forgiveness, as she forgave her attacker before her death.