Madonna di Casaluce icon follows century-old tradition

The Sacred Icon of the Madonna of Casaluce follows a long-standing tradition of moving between Aversa and Casaluce. For over 150 years, the icon has adhered to a specific calendar, spending four months in Aversa before returning to Casaluce every October 15, where it remains for the following eight months.

The Byzantine icon, which depicts the Virgin and Child, is traditionally attributed to Saint Luke, though this remains a matter of devotional tradition rather than confirmed historical fact. The history of the icon is closely tied to the presence of the Celestine monks, whose seasonal transfer to Aversa facilitated the spread of the cult.

The movement of the icon was eventually formalized by a government decree on March 23, 1857, issued under Ferdinand II of Bourbon, following historical disputes regarding its permanent location.