Nestled atop a steep cliff in the Veneto region of Italy, the Madonna della Corona sanctuary is a hidden gem. Built into a vertical cliff face on Italy’s Mount Baldo in front of Valdadige it looks as though it is nearly suspended in mid-air.
The sanctuary has a long and fascinating history dating back to the 16th century. According to legend, a shepherd boy found a painting of the Virgin Mary in a nearby cave and brought it to the local priest. The painting was then placed in a small chapel built on the site, and the Madonna della Corona became a popular destination for pilgrims. Over the centuries, the sanctuary was expanded and renovated, with the current church and monastery built in the 20th century.
The Madonna della Corona’s unique location on a cliff has made it a challenging site to build and maintain. The church and monastery were designed by the architect Alberto Luzzo, who created a modernist structure that blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The sanctuary’s most striking feature is its stunning glass facade, which offers panoramic views of the mountains and valleys below. Inside, visitors can admire the intricate wood carvings, frescoes, and sculptures that adorn the walls and altars.
The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.
The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.
Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.