Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona in Italy

In the north of Italy, 45 kilometers from the city of Verona, there is the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona (Santuario Madonna della Corona) - a unique temple complex that seems to have grown into a rock. It was erected on the site where, according to church tradition, the appearance of the Sorrowful Madonna took place in the 16th century.

The view of the sanctuary, located not far from the picturesque Lake Trento, raises a logical question: how in the Middle Ages, with its relatively simple technologies, it became possible to build such a grandiose temple complex on the ledge of an almost sheer cliff? One way or another, the architects of the 16th century coped with this task - and their colleagues in modern and modern times expanded and reconstructed the temple, as a result of which it acquired its present appearance and became one of the most visited pilgrimage shrines in Italy.
The rock ledge on which the sanctuary stands has attracted ascetics seeking solitude since ancient times. According to the legend, the first monks, in search of a secluded residence, settled in these places back in the 11th century. In the 13th century, a small hermitage with a chapel had already appeared here. One generation of hermits followed by another - and, apparently, the prayers of ascetics, performed on the ledge of Mount Baldo (this is the name of this rock) were heard in Heaven.
The event that was then immortalized by the construction of the sanctuary was the appearance of the Sorrowful Madonna. Once a strange, mysterious light spilled over the surrounding forests, not at all like the sun. He came from the ledge of Mount Baldo. For a long time, the locals did not dare to climb to the source of the glow - however, a couple of daredevils, ready for this, were still found. Climbing up, they saw a mysterious figure - more a figurine than a statue - depicting the scene of the mourning of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Blessed Virgin Mary. In Catholic iconography, such images are called pietà - from the word 'pity'. It was she, despite her rather miniature size, who emitted light for kilometers from the location.
With the greatest respect, the locals took the statuette and carried it to the nearest church, which was not far from the mountain. However, the very next day she disappeared from there and was again found in a different place. The statuette was returned to the church - but after some time, in an incomprehensible way, it again found itself on the ledge of Mount Baldo.
ABOUT strange movements of the finds made it known to the bishop - and soon it was decided to build a sanctuary on the site of the appearance of the Sorrowful Madonna. The work was completed in 1522. The rocks overhanging the sanctuary reminded the architects of a crown - as a result, the creation of their hands was named Madonna della Corona.
In 1625, the sanctuary was administered by the Order of the Hospitallers. These knight-monks expanded the structure - and, in addition, made it taller - naturally, as far as the rock from above would allow.
In 1898, the Madonna della Corona building required restoration, which was carried out in it. As a result, the building, in accordance with the architectural tastes of that era, acquired a neo-Gothic appearance.
However, this did not end there. In 1975, reconstruction took place here, after which the sanctuary became the way we can see it today - much larger than before: after all, its area, going deep into the rock, the builders managed to increase from 220 to 600 square meters! In 1978, the renovated sanctuary was consecrated - and ten years later, Pope John Paul II visited it.
95% of visitors to Santuario, as the locals call the sanctuary, Sowing our days constitute Catholic pilgrims from all over Italy and from a multitude of other fears. They overcome a difficult climb in order to bow to Santa Scala - the Holy Ladder, according to legend, an exact copy of the one that once touched the feet of the Savior of the world on the eve of His suffering on the Cross. It is believed that if you overcome all the steps of Santa Scala on your knees, at each prayer, you can receive absolution - not all, of course, but a significant part of them.
Those who come to the Madonna della Corona sanctuary in search of beauty can admire here amazing statues by the famous Italian architect Rafaele Bonente - some of them are installed at the entrance, others are inside the sanctuary.
But regardless of whether a person has come in search of salvation or for the sake of contemplating local attractions, the first thing he will face is a real test: climbing one and a half thousand steps of a staircase, the total length of which is 548 meters. The fact is that by car you can only get to the village of Brentino located below, but further, to the sanctuary, you can only walk. However, the views from the mountain stairs are worth it.
From April to October, the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona is open to the public from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, and from November to March from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

You can write candle in the temple .