Chiesa della Madonna della Grata (Church of Our Lady of Grace), Ostuni

The current Church of Our Lady of Grace was constructed between 1920 and 1912, near an older church dating back to 1747 that was originally dedicated to the Lady of Grace. The church's name is tied to a miraculous event: a farmer suffering from severe spinal pain, known locally as "grata," regularly prayed before the Madonna's fresco in the small 18th-century church. One day, his pain vanished, prompting him to declare a miracle, and he shared the news of his healing throughout the village. From then on, the church was known as Madonna della Grata.

In the 20th century, it was decided to build a new sanctuary, funded by the contributions of the faithful. Upon completion, the Madonna fresco was transferred from the old church to the new one-a challenging task since the fresco was painted on a tuff wall, leading to some damage during its removal. The fresco now resides on the main wall behind the high altar, with noticeable differences between the original sections and the restored areas. In the 1970s, the fresco was framed with intricate mosaics.

The interior of the sanctuary features a central plan, marked by elegance and simplicity, mirroring the straightforward design of the exterior facades. Flanking the central altar are two niches containing statues of Lady of Grace, one of which is used in processions. The grand procession of the Madonna della Grata takes place on the first Sunday of August, and until recently, the statue was carried on the shoulders of the faithful.