Walking the Way of the Cross - Madonna della Corona, Spiazzi, Italy

In my previous post I wrote about our visit to  Madonna della Corona. A beautiful church built into the side of Balto Rock in Spiazzi, Italy. Today's post is about the walk down to the church. I actually enjoyed this walk almost as much as the church itself.

We parked in the lot of Stella Alpina a hotel at the top of the mountain. The hotel and conference center is part of the Madonna complex. We weren't sure how far we'd need to go but  even so we set off down the narrow road.

The view of the surrounding mountains was spectacular!

There's actually two ways to get up and down the mountain. The road which is winding and narrow or the STAIRS! Pictured below is only one section of the stairs. The other sets of stairs are cement like this one but very narrow and they have no hand rails. We came down the road and back up by the stairs. 

I'll admit that I abandoned the stairs half way up and finished by way of the road which wasn't quite as steep. Our young in excellent shape son ran to the top. Show-off!

The views were lovely but we were delighted to find that the road was lined with life sized bronze sculptures depicting the Way of the Cross. The sculptures are by the Veronese architect Raffaele Bonente. (You won't see the sculptures if you take the stairs. A great excuse to walk the road!)

The Way of the Cross

The Way of the Cross or Stations of the Cross shows the life of Christ from his arrest to his Resurrection. Talk about a wonderful walk. Not only was the view of the mountains and across the valley breath taking but to see the life of Christ portrayed so vividly was engaging.

Station I

Jesus is condemned by Pilate

Station II

Jesus takes up his cross

   

Station III

Jesus falls the first time

Station IV

 Jesus meets his mother

Station V

Simon of Cyrene carries the cross

Station VI

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Station VII

Jesus falls the second time

Station VIII

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem 

Station IX

Jesus falls the third time

Station X

 Jesus stripped of his garments

Station XI

Jesus nailed to the cross

Station XII

Jesus dies on the cross

Station XIII

Jesus is taken down from the cross

Station XIV

Jesus is laid in the tomb

Station XV

The Resurrection 

This was one of may favorite places to visit on our trip to Italy. It's well worth a side trip if you're in the area!

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. 

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.