Italian Shrines: Madonna Del Monte Di Marsure

The history of the Madonna Sanctuary is rather obscure. It’s a small chapel perched at the base of the Dolomite Mountain Range on Northern End of Aviano, Italy.

Local tradition says that on September 8th 1510, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a peasant farmer in the area, known as Antonio Zampara. The farmer was extremely devoted to the Mother of God and he always came to this chapel to seek her intercession before beginning his day. One day, the Madonna, dressed in white, appeared to him, thanked him for his prayers, and requested that he fast rigorously for three days with the intention that a new, larger chapel would soon be constructed in her honor. Antonio not only obeyed this request, but also invited his neighbors to do the same.

It took over a hundred years for the Madonna’s request to be fulfilled, but sure enough, a new sanctuary was constructed at the site of the apparition in 1615. More recently, the chapel was renovated and restored to its original beauty in the early part of the 20th century by the italian architect Rinaldo di Venezia. Externally, the chapel features a large metal dome similar to other designs of that period; while inside are placed four stone statues depicting the evangelists.

In recent years, the sanctuary has also been enriched by a devotional path, and is chosen by many local Christian communities for spiritual retreats. Definitely a place you want to add to your list, next time you go on pilgrimage.

The link my my travel video documenting this church is below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU6_ynXsYYE&t=62s

Ave Maria, gratia plena,

Dominus tecum.

Benedicta tu in mulieribus,

et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,

ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc,

et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.