Nostra Signora della Guardia, Religious shrine in Varazze, Italy.
Nostra Signora della Guardia is a shrine on Monte Grosso at about 405 meters elevation, built as a single-nave church with barrel vaulting and a bell tower. The structure stands out through its simple, direct architecture against the natural hillside setting.
The chapel was commissioned in 1864 by two marquises, Fabio Ivrea and Maria Teresa d'Agliano, as a family burial place. The project grew from their desire to create a sacred space for their final resting place on the mountainside.
This place draws pilgrims from the surrounding area, especially on August 29, when local people come together in an annual celebration. The site holds deep meaning for those who walk the path as an act of faith and devotion.
The sanctuary is reached by a walking path of about 3 kilometers starting from Varazze, winding through pine forests and natural hillside. The climb is manageable on foot, with shaded stretches along the route.
A noteworthy connection links this place to Cardinal Giacomo Della Chiesa, who visited at the end of the 19th century and later became Pope Benedict XV. His visit ties this small mountain shrine to one of the Church's highest positions.
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