Places you can't miss: Madonna della Corona

The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona, located in Spazzi (25 minutes from Borgo Romantico) is one of the most visited places of worship in the province of Verona, close to Mount Baldo.
Its position, nestled among the rocks at an altitude of 774 metres, offers a spectacular view of Lake Garda.

The history of the sanctuary dates back to the 14th century, when a group of faithful decided to build a votive chapel in honor of the Holy Virgin.
The popular vulgate places the birth of the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona in 1522, when a statue of the Pietà would have "appeared" on Monte Baldo.
But the religious tradition of the mountain massif is much older. The area was already frequented by hermits around the year 1000 and some documents attest to the presence of a chapel and a small monastery in the thirteenth century.
The original church was incorporated into a new building erected between 1490 and 1521 by the Knights of San Giovanni. The order managed the religious complex for four centuries and worked continuously to make the Madonna della Corona a great place of worship. In the sixteenth century he built the two access stairs and in the seventeenth century he built another new church on top of the previous one.
The Knights of St John also built a hospice for pilgrims (with the contribution of a generous benefactor). Until the beginning of the nineteenth century they were dissolved by Napoleon and lost ownership of the sanctuary.
Work stopped, but for a short time. Between the end of the century and the middle of the next, the church was given a Gothic-style facade and enlarged several times. In addition, a new bell tower with a soaring spire was built
But the definitive structure had not yet been achieved. In 1974 a "global intervention" was approved to demolish some portions of the existing church, preserve the most significant parts and build a larger structure. The new sanctuary was consecrated in 1978 and in 1982 it was elevated to the dignity of a minor basilica.
Over the centuries, the site has been expanded and transformed into the impressive architectural complex we see today.

     

     

Access to the sanctuary is via a stairway of over 200 steps, which winds through the rocks and offers a breathtaking view of the valley below.
The stairway leads to the main square of the sanctuary, surrounded by buildings and a large panoramic terrace.
Inside the sanctuary you can admire numerous frescoes and sacred works of art, including the statue of the Madonna della Corona, carved in pine wood in the 15th century.
The statue has been the subject of many legends and miracles, and is still today a pilgrimage destination for thousands of faithful.

The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona is also a starting point for excursions on Mount Baldo, with a vast network of panoramic paths that allow you to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

It is a real treasure hidden among the rocks of the Veronese mountains, a place of devotion and contemplation surrounded by nature.
A visit to the sanctuary is an unforgettable experience for anyone who wants to discover the beauty and spirituality of our lands.
The Sanctuary is undoubtedly one of the places to visit during your holiday in Borgo Romantico