Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Misericordia, Minor basilica in Savona, Italy
The Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Misericordia is a church with three naves supported by pillars that lead to a raised choir area. A crypt beneath holds a statue of the Virgin Mary as the focal point of worship.
The sanctuary was built between 1536 and 1540 following a reported appearance of the Virgin Mary to shepherd Antonio Botta during a period of conflict between Savona and Genoa. This event sparked the creation of an important pilgrimage destination in the region.
The interior displays works by notable painters and sculptors, including frescoes by Bernardo Castello and marble carvings by Gianlorenzo Bernini. These artistic pieces shape how the sanctuary feels when you walk through it.
The sanctuary sits about six kilometers from Savona and is reached by a pilgrim path marked by nine votive chapels. The route begins in the Lavagnola district and climbs gradually toward the sanctuary.
The facade of Finale stone with three doors was made by Taddeo Carlone of Rovio between 1609 and 1611, and three niches hold statues of Saint John the Baptist, Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist, and the Virgin. On the square in front stands a fountain by Giacomo Antonio Ponsonelli dated 1708.
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