Sanctuary Basilica Madonna della Corona

The Sanctuary Madonna della Corona which is located in Spiazzi at Mount Baldo (Montebaldo) is near to city Verona and just 10 miles far from Lake Garda. According medieval documents, hermit monks linked Abbey St.Zeno in Verona lived in the mountains isolated to pray, dating back to 11th century. In the second half of the 13th century a monastery and chapel was dedicated to St.Mary. This place was only accessible by a dangerous narrow path in the rock. Stairways were built to reach the unbelievable place which is overhanging a marvelous landscape looking over the valley Adige. Carved in the Mountain, the Sanctuary takes its name by the crowned shape of the mountains and its surrounding. The chapel which was finished in 1522 was protected by the Knights of Saint John who held the property for five centuries, in order to make the sanctuary one of the most important centers of the catholic spirituality in Italy.

The chapel faced a number of changes over the centuries and it grew larger. Thanks to its inaccessibility the complex was never totally destroyed and survived up to now. The only renovation came in1974 by the italian architect Guido Tisato who restorated the church by respecting the original style. Pope John Paul II, visited on 17th April 1988 the Shrine and prayed to our Lady of the Corona.

The site is a popular pilgrimage destination where visitors are coming to see the Scala Santa which is a replica of Jesus before he was crucified. The mountain path to the sanctuary is modernized and to reach the Sanctuary the trekking path begins at the village Brentino down at the valley. It is a long way to reach the sanctuary by the stairway. It will take about two hours to reach the top. For those one who prefer a more comfortable way they need to reach the village Spiazzi which at he top of the mountain.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Verona Crown is open all year long :