Introduction
The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Grace is a church designed in the Lombard Gothic style, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It stands in the small hamlet of Grazie, part of the municipality of Curtatone, located 9 kilometers from Mantua. The basilica is built on a spacious square, offering a stunning view of the marshy waters of the Mincio River. This setting creates a captivating atmosphere that draws numerous visitors and devoted pilgrims to honor the Madonna. The sanctuary is recognized as a minor basilica, a title that highlights its religious significance.
Early Histroy
The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Grace traces its origins back to the 1200s. Located in the area known as Prato Lamberto, a small altar with an image of the Madonna and Child stood on a promontory surrounded by dense flora and lake reeds. The fishermen and farmers of the region, facing a harsh and challenging environment, developed a deep devotion to the Madonna. This faith provided comfort in times of hardship, illness, and superstition, with Christian beliefs gradually replacing earlier pagan traditions. Over time, the small altar became a votive chapel to protect the sacred image, and the shrine’s fame spread throughout the area.
Gonzaga’s Contribution and Pilgrimage Growth
In the late 14th century, Francesco Gonzaga funded the construction of a temple to the Madonna, whom he believed had stopped a devastating plague in Mantua. This historical event may also be linked to an excommunication Gonzaga received following a trip to the Holy Land. Architect Bartolino da Novara, who also worked on the Castle of San Giorgio in Mantua, oversaw the project. The construction, which cost 30,000 gold scudi, culminated in the consecration of the chapel on August 15, 1398, with Gonzaga and bishops from Mantua and Cremona in attendance.
Following the basilica’s completion, pilgrimages to the sanctuary grew, attracting visitors from nearby villages, nobles, and even royal figures such as Emperor Charles V, Pope Pius II, and Emperor Joseph II of Austria. Their visits led to numerous donations, which funded architectural changes, including private chapels built by influential Mantuan families. Giulio Romano also contributed his artistic talents, working on the Castiglioni Mausoleum and other projects within the church, further enriching the sanctuary’s legacy.
Construction and Expansion of the Sanctuary Complex
From 1412 to the end of the 15th century, significant developments took place at the sanctuary. During this period, the convent, school, oratory, and library were established, contributing to the growing importance of the site. In 1521, a portico of 52 arches was constructed around the square to shelter merchants, following the 1425 relocation of the “Fiera di Porto” by Marquis Federico Gonzaga, which began the tradition of the August fair at the Grazie. Donations and bequests continued to fund the expansion of the basilica, transforming it into a large complex with various annexes. In 1642, a new wing of porticoes was added, along with a sacristy and an altar. An ambitious expansion project took place in the 1700s, commissioned by Duchess Anna Isabella Gonzaga of Guastalla, which included plans for 15 chapels along the road to Mantua. However, this project was never completed. In 1782, the convent was closed and repurposed as a hospital. The decline of the basilica began soon after. The Napoleonic invasion resulted in the loss of many votive offerings, and the contents of the rich library were either dispersed or destroyed. Finally, in 1812, much of the architectural complex was dismantled.
Historical Events and Decline
During the First War of Independence in 1848, the Sanctuary played a significant role as the troops of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany camped there before heading to the Battle of Curtatone and Montanara. After the Battle of Goito on May 30, 1848, the troops of the Kingdom of Sardinia entered the town. King Carlo Alberto showed interest in visiting the Sanctuary, eager to observe the mannequins displayed inside. However, upon arrival, they found the gates closed. It was later revealed that the citizens had hidden approximately one hundred wounded Austrian soldiers within the Sanctuary to protect them from the Sardinian army’s view. General Eusebio Bava later explained the act, suggesting that the town’s inhabitants were sympathetic to the imperial cause.
Architecture of Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Grace, Curtatone, Italy
External Features
Over the centuries, various architectural additions in different styles have been made to the original Lombard Gothic structure of the Sanctuary, which has been preserved to this day. While some of these additions have been destroyed, particularly after invasions, a few key elements remain. Of the four original cloisters, chapels, and buildings, only the Porta cloister and the east wing are still standing.
The portico, perpendicular to the church’s facade, is adorned with terracotta decorations, and the lunettes are frescoed with scenes from the history of Mantua. These frescoes, created in the late 16th century, depict events linked to the Madonna and her miraculous interventions. The portico is supported by thirteen round arches, held up by columns, and features three pinnacles at the top of the facade. A Renaissance portal, crafted from red marble, bears the inscription Sacrum Celesti Reginae Dicatum on the architrave, completing the grand entrance.
Interior Features
The interior of the sanctuary is designed in the Gothic style, featuring a single nave with a vaulted ceiling decorated with floral frescoes. Upon entering, visitors are immediately struck by the richness of the walls, which are adorned with intricate sculptures and artwork, including a stuffed crocodile suspended from the ceiling. This crocodile, placed in the sanctuary in the 15th or 16th century, adds a unique element to the church’s interior.
The walls of the nave are lined with a wooden scaffolding, a feature added later in the church’s history. Behind this scaffolding, it was discovered that the walls were once bare, revealing the church’s humble beginnings. The scaffolding houses eighty niches, originally filled with large statues representing miraculous events, with about forty statues remaining today. The remaining space on the walls is filled with anatomical wax models and other ex-voto offerings, such as representations of hearts, hands, eyes, and pestilential buboes.
The sanctuary also features several prestigious chapels, including the Chapel of San Bonaventura, which contains the mausoleum of Baldassarre Castiglione and his wife Ippolita Torelli, designed by Giulio Romano. Other notable chapels include the Bertazzolo family chapel, which houses Lorenzo Costa’s The Martyrdom of St. Lawrence, and the Zimbramonti Chapel, home to an altarpiece of St. Sebastian by Francesco Bonsignori. The Mater Gratiae chapel, on the right, contains votive paintings and the remains of Charles II of Gonzaga-Nevers.
Illustrious People Buried
The sanctuary also serves as the final resting place for several prominent members of the Gonzaga family, including Aloisio Gonzaga (1549) and his son Alfonso (1592), as well as Carlo Gonzaga (1456), Maria Gonzaga (1660), and Charles of Gonzaga-Nevers (1631), among others. A plaque commemorates their burials and pays tribute to their important roles in the region’s history.
The Mannequins and Their Symbolism
The mannequins inside the sanctuary are made of papier-mâché and life-sized. Most are attributed to Friar Francesco da Acquanegra and were dressed in clothing and armor crafted from the same poor materials. These mannequins represent miraculous events where people were saved through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. The statues, accompanied by metopes inscribed with the grace received, serve as a unique form of devotion and a visual representation of divine intervention. Some of the armor, originally thought to be simple replicas, were found to be authentic Gothic-Italian pieces from the 1400s, likely donated by the Gonzaga family.
The Crocodile and Its Symbolism
One of the most intriguing features of the sanctuary is the stuffed crocodile hanging from the ceiling. This crocodile, likely placed in the church in the 15th or 16th century, holds strong symbolic meaning. In Christian tradition, creatures like crocodiles, dragons, and snakes were often associated with evil and sin. By placing the crocodile high in the church’s vault, the sanctuary symbolically “tames” the evil it represents and serves as a warning to the faithful.
Various legends surround the crocodile’s origin. Some believe it escaped from a private zoo of the Gonzaga family, while others tell of a miraculous event in which a crocodile attacked a boatman on the Mincio River. The boatman, praying for divine intervention, was able to kill the animal and save his brother. There are also theories relating the crocodile to medieval alchemy practices or other symbolic connections to the Apocalypse.
This crocodile, along with similar relics in other churches, highlights the unique blend of symbolism, devotion, and local folklore that contributes to the sanctuary’s mystique and allure.
Feast Day
Feast Day: 15th August
The feast day of the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Graces in Curtatone is celebrated on August 15, which coincides with the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This day holds special significance for the sanctuary, drawing numerous pilgrims and visitors who come to honor the Virgin Mary and seek her intercession.
Church Mass Timing
Monday : 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM
Tuesday : 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM
Wednesday : 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM
Thursday : 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM
Friday : 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM
Saturday : 5:30 PM
Sunday : 8:00 AM , 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM and 5:30 PM
Church Opening Time:
Monday : 7:30 am – 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tuesday : 7:30 am – 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wednesday : 7:30 am – 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thursday : 7:30 am – 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday : 7:30 am – 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Saturday : 7:30 am – 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sunday : 7:30 am – 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Contact Info
Address :
Piazzale Santuario, 46010 Grazie MN, Italy
Phone : +390376349002
Accommodations
Connectivities
Airway
Milan Bergamo (BGY) Airport to Basilica Santa Maria delle Grazie Curtatone distance between 1 hr 7 min (42 km).
Railway
Milano Cadorna, Lombardy, Italy to basilica santa maria delle grazie curtatone distance between 6 min (770 m).
