In 1901 the sanctuary became a papal Basilica by order of pope Leon XIII.
Aristide and Pio Leonori designed the bell-tower which has its entrance from a bronze door and has five floors. The Basilica has got a nave and two side aisles. In the nave there is a cupola 57 metres high.
The painting of the “Vergine del Rosario con il Bambino” with its bronze gilt frame is exposed on the high altar. Today the painting is object of deep veneration and the story of its acquisition is really strange.
The painting was bought from a second-hand dealer by Father Alberto Maria Radente belonging to the convent of “S. Domenico Maggiore” who gave it as a gift to Bartolo Longo.
