Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona, Ferrara di Monte Baldo, Italy

Origins of the Sanctuary

The origins of the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona are steeped in a local legend that has become integral to its identity. The story revolves around the miraculous discovery of a statue of the Pietà, which was originally kept on the island of Rhodes. According to the legend, the statue was moved in 1522 to escape the invasion of the Turks under Suleiman the Magnificent and the plundering of the island’s treasures. It is said that the statue was transported by divine intervention, with an angel guiding it from Rhodes to Mount Baldo, where it was hidden in a rocky ravine, providing sanctuary from the turmoil.

The legend further tells that a group of local inhabitants witnessed a mysterious light shining on the rocky cliff and heard angelic voices emanating from the area. Intrigued, they lowered themselves down the cliff with ropes to investigate, finding the sacred statue. In awe of this miraculous event, the locals decided to build a chapel on the very spot where the statue was discovered. The story of this divine intervention quickly gained popularity, attracting an increasing number of pilgrims to the site. However, the chapel’s remote and precarious location made it difficult to access, prompting the construction of a path with the iconic “Ponte del Tiglio” bridge and steps carved into the rock to make the pilgrimage more accessible.

More likely, however, the sculpture of the Pietà was donated to the site by Lodovico Castelbarco, a nobleman from Rovereto, in 1432. The small stone sculpture, dating back to the early 15th century, is made from local materials and reflects the Vesperbild style, typical of the Alpine region. The origins of the legend may be connected to the Knights of Jerusalem, who were associated with the “Rodi” commandery. This hermitage dedicated to the Madonna in the rocky ravine may have been under their care in the 15th century.

Devotion and Pilgrimage

Devotion to the Madonna della Corona has deep roots, particularly within the Diocese of Verona and the surrounding Vicenza region, including the parishes of Lessinia. One of the most notable depictions of the Madonna della Corona’s history is a painting in the parish church of Sant’Anna d’Alfaedo, which illustrates the statue’s miraculous transport from Rhodes to the cliffs of Mount Baldo. Pilgrims have traveled to the sanctuary from various parts of Lessinia and Vicenza for centuries, with the route from the Vicenza area traditionally taking two days, as opposed to the shorter, one-day pilgrimage from Lessinia. The path followed by these pilgrims does not pass through the higher, winding roads of Lessinia, but instead takes a steep mule track that leads through the Parpari basin and up to the Veronese mountainside, passing through San Giorgio di Bosco Chiesanuova and Podesteria di Erbezzo. Pilgrims from Vicenza are customarily offered a local sweet at the Fittanze pass, marking an enduring tradition of hospitality.

Historical Attendance and Early Developments

The area where the sanctuary now stands has a history of religious significance dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Originally serving as a hermitage, it was home to hermits associated with the Abbey of San Zeno in Verona. By around 1200, a chapel dedicated to Santa Maria “de monte Bloto” was documented, indicating the early presence of religious activity in the area. The chapel, known as Santa Maria di Monte Baldo, was accessible only through a narrow and rugged path carved into the rock. In 1437, the sanctuary was entrusted to the Order of the Knights of Malta, who would oversee it for centuries. During their tenure, from 1480 to 1522, a larger church was constructed, measuring about 126 square meters. In the 16th century, further developments were made to improve accessibility to the sanctuary, including the creation of steps in the rock and the building of the “Ponte del Tiglio” bridge to facilitate the pilgrimage.

In 1625, the small church was officially elevated to the status of a sanctuary when the Knights of Malta oversaw a reconstruction, which was completed in 1680. The church was given the title “Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona,” a name inspired by the semi-circular shape of the surrounding rock formation. The construction of the new church involved extending the building by four meters above the original structure, which was incorporated under the presbytery.

Renovations and Recognition

As the number of pilgrims visiting the sanctuary continued to grow, the need for accommodation led to the construction of an adjoining hospice. The sanctuary underwent several renovations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries to accommodate the increasing influx of visitors. In 1898, the decision was made to expand the sanctuary by about two meters toward the square in front, and the façade was subsequently renovated in 1899. In 1975, significant renovation work began to modernize the sanctuary, including excavating into the rock to expand the church. The sanctuary was consecrated on June 4, 1978, and the completion of the renovation was celebrated with a visit from Pope John Paul II on April 17, 1988. In recognition of its religious and cultural importance, Pope John Paul II elevated the sanctuary to the status of a minor basilica in July 1982, further cementing its significance as a sacred site of pilgrimage and devotion.