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 church of the former Franciscan monastery was built probably between 1515 and 1520. It is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Rauma. The church stands by the small stream of Raumanjoki (Rauma river).
The exact age of the Church of the Holy Cross is unknown, but it was built to serve as the monastery church of the Rauma Franciscan Friary. The monastery had been established in the early 15th century and a wooden church was built on this location around the year 1420.
The Church of the Holy Cross served the monastery until 1538, when it was abandoned for a hundred years as the Franciscan friary was disbanded in the Swedish Reformation. The church was re-established as a Lutheran church in 1640, when the nearby Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed by fire.
The choir of the two-aisle grey granite church features medieval murals and frescoes. The white steeple of the church was built in 1816 and has served as a landmark for seafarers.