The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona in Italy is home to a breathtaking church that is partially carved into the surrounding rocks and gives the appearance of being poised in midair between Earth and Heaven.
You may locate it within spitting distance of Verona and not far from Lago di Garda, which is the largest lake in Italy. The Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona (also known as Our Lady of the Crown) is a unique location that is well worth traveling to and discovering. It offers visitors much more than just photo opportunities for Instagram and a reason to garner social media likes. It gets you closer to the people that live in this place, as well as their history, their traditions, and the beliefs they hold. Above all else, it is a demonstration of their spirit, as the construction and upkeep of a sanctuary located approximately halfway up a steep cliff face is an indication of devotion, which is something that our hectic modern lives don’t seem to leave much room for us to cultivate.
On a beautiful and sunny day, I had the opportunity to pay a visit to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona. The mountains, which were resplendent in their verdant garb, were particularly stunning against the vividly blue sky. We traveled down the winding road that led us to the sanctuary, which was located about halfway down the cliff, starting from the small hilltop settlement of Spiazzi. We made sure to stop at each of the Stations of the Cross along the way, thereby completing the Via Crucis, which is a sculptural representation of the events that took place on the day that Christ was crucified.
We did not have to travel for very long before we arrived at the point that provided the first view of the sanctuary.
Just take my word for it! The first glimpse of the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona is as stunning as one might expect.
The bells in the bell tower began to sing their midday song just as we were getting our first look at the salmon-colored church with a Gothic facade, the verdant greens of the mountains, and the clear blue sky above. The tune rose up out of the depths of the valley and into the clouds above. It was a unique and unforgettable moment that existed somewhere between heaven and earth. It was not necessary to have a religious background in order to experience a profound belief at that very moment. An innate faith in the wonder of the world as well as in the capacity and resilience of individuals to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.