title: Hermit of Santa Maria della Stella
text: # Hermit of Santa Maria della Stella
  
  Hermit of Santa Maria della Stella or Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella (in English: Sanctuary of Saint Mary of the Star) is an Italian hermitage, sited in a natural cave at Pazzano (Calabria) on Monte Stella in Calabria, Italy.
  
  From Pazzano, along ex SS110, after 5 km take a fork on the left to peak of Monte Stella and after 1 km there is Monastery of Monte Stella and beside the cave. There are 62 steps before the entrance of the cave. There is a 16th-century statue of Madonna in marble and Byzantine frescos representing saints.
  
  ## History
  
  Its first mention was Greek code 598 of Paris. In the 11th century Byzantine monks lived in the sanctuary. Cristodulo was one of the first the Hegumen. In 1096, it became a minor monastery. In the Norman period it was converted to a Catholic monastery. In the 15th century, it became independent from San Giovanni Theristis monastery and Basilians abandoned the sanctuary.
  
  The first pastor is supposed to have been Marcello Jhodarelli in 1670.
  
  ## Fiest
  
  Every year, on the 15th of August it celebrates the assumption of Virgin Mary.
  
  