Nostra Signora di Bonaria and the box that could not be opened

People say that on the 24th of April in 1370 an unexpected storm raged against a Spanish sailing boat carrying people and goods, offing the harbor of Cagliari. The captain ordered the sailors to throw away everything stored in the tank, trying to delay the sank, due to a big gap made by the impetuous waves. In the meantime, trough prayers, the passengers invoked the help of Madonna to save them.

A big heavy box was the last to be thrown into the sea and, oddly it did not sink but floated on the waves. At its passage, clouds disappeared from the sky and the storm stopped. Following the box toward the coast, the sailors managed to shore save and sound into Cagliari harbor. Then, everybody quickly went to Bonaria beach in Su Siccu, trying to open the stranded box .

After several unsuccessful attempts, they called the “mercedari” monks of the convent near the Bonaria hill: they easily managed and, as a surprise the found a statue of the Madonna inside the box. They called it “Nostra Signora di Bonaria” (Our Lady of Bonaria) and, from that day, the name was connected to the sanctuary and the Basilica was built afterwards. On the 24th of April 1870, on the occasion of the fifth centenary from the discovering of the simulacrum, the Virgin's simulacrum – according to decree of the Vatican” - was crowned during a solemn ceremony. On that same date, the Pope Pio X fixed for that liturgical day the celebration of Our Lady of Bonaria.