Madonna della Corona, Spiazzi, Italy

"The Shrine of the Corona is a place of silence and meditation, extended between heaven and earth, hidden in the heart of the Baldo rocks." 

When I came across this description of Madonna della Corona how could I resist?  A church built into the side of a mountain was definitely a place I wanted to see. Madonna della Corona in Spiazzi took top spot of my list of must see while on our trip to Italy.

Sculpture - Modonna della Corona 

(Madonna's Crown)

According to the brochure in 1522 a sculpture of Mary cradling the crucified body of Jesus was transported by angelic intervention from the island of Rhodes. Legend says that a bright light shown on the mountain and when locals investigated they discovered the sculpture of the Madonna. The sculpture was considered sacred and a small chapel was built on the site to honor this miraculous feat.

The Madonna della Corona viewed from the back of the sanctuary.

 A close-up of the Madonna ensconced in the rock wall above the altar. The sculpture is surrounded by a crown of thorns and five angelic groups by the Veronese architect Raffaele Bonente.

Another view inside the sanctuary. The bare walls of the mountain become the walls of the sanctuary. 

Madonna della Corona Today

The church has come a long way from the original tiny chapel.  The original church was demolished and rebuilt many times over the years resulting in the current church that was completed in 1978.

The buildings sit on a natural stone shelf or ledge. Building materials were lowered from the top of the mountain down to the building site. Even with modern equipment I'm sure this was quite a feat! 

You really need to see this place in person to get the full effect. It's amazing!

 Another view of the church and the surrounding mountains and valley. 

Stairs to the church

The view from the front of the church looking out over the valley. It was a beautiful scene as we watched the clouds roll in. 

The Madonna della Corona was honored with a visit from Pope John Paul II in 1988.

I was so happy after our visit to the church. It is a beautiful, peaceful place and well worth the seemingly endless stairs we walked to get to and from this place! I wasn't disappointed.

Click here for another post about Madonna della Corona.

I'm glad we laced up and took a walk somewhere between earth and heaven!

Santuario Madonna della Corona
Località Santuario, 1
37020 – Ferrara di Monte Bardo
Verona, Italy
Phone and Fax (+39) 045 7220014

Rector Don Pietro Maroldi
info@madonnadellacorona.it

How to get there
By car: From the A4 Milan-Venice, exit Peschiera del Garda and continue towards Spiazzi (km 38); or from the A22 Brennero-Modena, exit at Affi, Spiazzi direction (20 km). By train: the station of Peschiera del Garda or Verona Porta Nuova, take the bus, line Spiazzi Caprino.