Around the world, there are many "Black Madonnas" presiding over churches, shrines, and monasteries. These unusual images depict a dark-skinned Madonna and often have unique histories to match. While traditionalists tend to explain away the images as darkened by soot or time, others insist these are survivals of earlier goddesses.
1. The Black Madonna of the Nekromanteion
An example of trompe l'oeil painting, the chapel that is built on top of an alleged ancient entrance to the underworld once ruled over by Persephone and Pluto conceals an unexpected image of a Black Madonna, invisible until you approach it closely.
