Loreto is situated on the Adriatic coast of Italy 22 km southeast of Ancona. Since the 13th century it has been a major centre for pilgrims on account of the Holy House of the Virgin, believed to have been miraculously transported from Nazareth by angels in 1294. The basilica was built over its remains. Between 1750 and 1754, the richly decorated campanile designed by Vanvitelli was under construction.