Just a few steps from the central Piazza Tasso lies the Basilica of Saint Antonino (11th century), a true symbol of deep faith and popular devotion in Sorrento.
The locals, in fact, are especially fond of this church, as it is dedicated to their patron saint, Saint Antonino, whose remains are preserved within the basilica.
Several miracles are attributed to Saint Antonino, strengthening the spiritual bond between the saint and the people.
The most famous miracle tells of a child saved from the jaws of a shark through the saint’s intercession.
As proof of this legend, whale bones—said to be linked to the miracle—are mounted near the basilica’s main entrance.
Being one of the oldest churches on the Sorrentine Peninsula, the Basilica of Saint Antonino has always been a destination for pilgrimages.
On either side of the main altar, visitors can admire two frames filled with saintly relics.
On the feast day of Saint Antonino, February 14th, crowds flock to Sorrento to pay homage to the saint’s relics, housed in the crypt—clear evidence that deep expressions of religious affection endure through time.
The entire city takes part in a deeply moving procession through Sorrento’s main streets.
The silver statue of Saint Antonino is carried in a solemn parade that includes local religious confraternities, clergy, and the city’s civil authorities.
