Every year on July 16th, people climb Mount Carmel (1,144 meters above sea level), easily accessible via a paved road that leads to the mountain’s summit, where the sanctuary of the same name is located.

The sanctuary’s origins date back to 1857, a disastrous year when the earth shook, claiming thousands of lives throughout the Vallo di Diano. Two thousand people died in Polla alone, but the inhabitants of Sant’Arsenio escaped unharmed. The narrow escape was attributed to a miracle, and it was precisely then that the cult of Our Lady of Mount Carmel intensified, thanks to the priest Matteo Pica.

In 1896, a chapel was built in the center of the village, named after Our Lady of Mount Carmel. On August 6, 1906, the priest, along a difficult mule trail, climbed to the summit with a group of pilgrims and planted a cross with a small image of the Virgin of Mount Carmel. On July 9, 1951, construction began with the blessing of the cornerstone, and the entire town rallied. The materials were carried up the mountain on foot or on muleback, and the builders offered their services, as a vow, to build the structure.

In 1952, construction of the sanctuary was completed; the dream came true, and on July 16 of the same year, the first procession, followed by a marching band, accompanied the image of the Madonna to her new home.