The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Faggio is a magical place. It was here that the Madonna appeared to a shepherd boy. It is completely immersed in nature and can be reached with a 15-minute trek.
The vision of the Sanctuary within the natural context is something striking. It has a portico on the main facade and on the left and right sides, as well as a small bell tower.
Independent from the building there is a fountain built in 1789, recently renovated. Everything is enhanced by the stream that flows alongside the sanctuary, separated from it by a low wall.
Behind the Sanctuary you can visit the place where the Madonna appeared. A historical fact dating back to 1672 when the Virgin was seen by a shepherd boy on a beech tree.
Since then this place has been a pilgrimage destination and the construction of the Sanctuary was the right consequence of such an important event. Only the cut trunk of that beech tree remains visible, placed inside a makeshift aedicula located 250 meters from the church.
The Madonna del Faggio was born, like many similar sanctuaries, with a devotion towards the terracotta image of the Virgin Mary, who according to legend appeared under a large beech tree. Around 1670 the image was placed in a first brick structure.
However, the actual birth dates back to 1772 and its name was Madonna del Rio Scorticato, from the name of the place where it stood. From 1756 a tradition similar to that of the Madonna di San Luca in Bologna began: a procession to bring the sacred image from the Sanctuary to Castelluccio and bring it back on Ascension Day, with the heartfelt participation of the inhabitants of the nearby areas.
On July 26th every year for over two centuries the legend of the apparition has been remembered with a religious procession and a great food and wine festival organized by the Pro Loco.
TREKKING TO GET TO THE SANCTUARY OF THE MADONNA DEL FAGGIO
You then reach a point where you need to leave the car and continue on foot for about 600 meters along a path that winds through the woods. Surrounded by beech trees and next to a small stream, you can finally see the Sanctuary.
Once you have parked the car you need to move towards the iron bar that marks the start of the path. Next to it there will be a technical shed. The path is very simple, suitable for everyone.
It is entirely covered by the shade of the trees and enters the dense forest. Initially slightly uphill, then downhill until arriving at the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Faggio. Sanctuary which is preceded by a small stone bridge that allows you to cross the Rio Scorticato in Vallimenga.
PARKING
In the hamlet of Pennola there is a car park. From Pennola to the pedestrian path there are 2.9 km, about 40 minutes on foot.
Otherwise there are some places also close to the sanctuary, about 600 meters to reach the Sanctuary on foot.
Sanctuary of the Madonna del Faggio
Pennala Terme location
Lizzano in Belvedere (Bologna)
Emilia Romagna – Italy
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