Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Misericordia, Minor basilica in Santuario, 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 Hall of Protectors, founded in 1538, continues to oversee both the sanctuary and the attached hospital. This dual role as an administrative hub for religious and medical services was uncommon for a shrine of that era.
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