The 10 Most Famous Marian Shrines in Italy 

Marian Shrines have always been places where devotion to the Virgin, Mother of Jesus, is concentrated. Between history and traditions, miracles and legends, this is a journey through places of faith and eternal love.

May is the month of Our Lady. It is the perfect time to visit one of the countless Marian shrines scattered across our country—and beyond. This year, more than ever, many will feel the need to turn to the Mother of Jesus, to ask for graces and invoke her merciful intervention to bring peace and love among men. After all, since the Middle Ages, this month has been marked by an increase in floral tributes to the Virgin, devotions, and promises made to her, as well as the practice of the Holy Rosary—the ultimate devotional prayer—which Mary herself “gifted” to mankind through Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers.

Looking at the long list of Marian Shrines built over the centuries in Italy, the first thing that stands out is how each of them expresses a different way of venerating Mary, deeply linked to the history of the shrine itself but also infused with the atmosphere and local traditions of the place where devotion originated and developed. It is as if Marian shrines in Italy reflect the characteristics of the different locations, becoming an integral part of them, like elements of the landscape—like mountains, which sometimes guard them like precious treasures, or like the sea, over whose vastness some of them stand, as if ready to take flight.

Let us now explore ten famous shrines in Italy dedicated to Our Lady, each associated with one of the many Marian titles under which she is known and venerated.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love

Located in the countryside just outside Rome, in Castel di Leva, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love stands out not only as a place of miracles and constant pilgrimages—making it more frequented than many of the capital’s more illustrious churches—but also as a favourite destination for Romans’ countryside outings. The sanctuary originated around an ancient depiction of the Madonna enthroned, holding the Infant Jesus in her arms, with a dove—the symbol of the Holy Spirit—hovering above her head. This dual devotion, to both the Virgin and the Holy Spirit, has made the Sanctuary of Divine Love famous and has ensured a steady stream of worshippers, who also take advantage of the frequent and evocative night pilgrimages to visit this sacred place and bring their ex-votos to the Madonna.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows in Pietralba

In Trentino-Alto Adige, another renowned Marian shrine stands in the locality of Nova Ponente: the Sanctuary of Pietralba. It is perched on a hill in a magnificent setting, surrounded by meadows and woods, harmoniously blending with the stunning Baroque church. As is often the case, devotion here developed around an image of the Virgin—this time, a small alabaster Pietà, only 20 centimetres tall, which has been kept here since 1547. Initially housed in a chapel and later in the splendid white church built by devotees, their fervour was such that the original statue had to be replaced with a copy, as it was being worn down by constant kissing. In 1988, Pope John Paul II visited the Sanctuary and granted a plenary indulgence to those who visited the site dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.

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Statue depicting the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows with a sad expression and a furrowed brow.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Guard in Genoa

On Mount Figogna, in Ceranesi, overlooking the city of Genoa like a silent guardian, stands “La Guardia,” as the locals call it—the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Guard. Built at the end of the 15th century, it is an imposing structure, so much so that it has been elevated to the rank of a minor basilica. It houses a statue of the Virgin placed behind the high altar, and pilgrims are welcomed in the Chapel of the Apparition. The Marian title “Our Lady of the Guard” originated here, in this sanctuary built to commemorate the Virgin’s apparition to Benedetto Pareto in 1490. The Virgin asked the humble farmer to build a sanctuary in her honour, but he was discouraged by his wife and by those who called him a visionary. After a near-fatal fall, he invoked Our Lady’s grace, promising to fulfil his vow, and was miraculously saved. This is why, in traditional iconography, Our Lady of the Guard is always depicted with Benedetto kneeling before her.

Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary in Pompeii

We have previously discussed the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii in an article dedicated to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, who was a great devotee of the Virgin in general and of this particular title in particular. Padre Pio made several pilgrimages to this shrine, where the miracle of the rose also took place. As he approached the end of his life, the saint asked one of his devotees to take a red rose he had received as a gift and place it before the painting of the Madonna housed here. That same rose remained fresh and even closed into a fragrant bud after the saint’s death.

The sanctuary is one of the most important in the region and one of the most visited in Italy, attracting millions of pilgrim  s and tourists every year. A special devotional practice takes place in honour of the painting of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii—especially on 8 May—when the faithful, wherever they may be, recite together a special supplication to Our Lady of the Rosary, written by Blessed Bartolo Longo.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Saint Luke

Technically a basilica, the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Saint Luke stands atop the wooded Colle della Guardia, just outside Bologna. Its construction and consecration are linked to an icon depicting the Madonna and Child, which is attributed to Saint Luke himself. A Greek pilgrim is said to have brought it here from the Basilica of Hagia Sophia, where it had been entrusted to him by the priests with the instruction to take it to the Mount of the Guard.

The construction of the sanctuary is attributed to Angelica Bonfantini, a noblewoman who chose to live as a hermit, giving up all her possessions and building the Church of Santa Maria della Guardia—the first nucleus of the sanctuary. Over the centuries, the icon of Our Lady of Saint Luke has often been taken from the sanctuary and carried in processions through the city, with many miracles and graces attributed to it. The image of the Virgin belongs to the Hodigitria type—”She who shows the Way”—also known as the “Madonna of Travellers.”

Basilica of the Holy House in Loreto

Often referred to as the “Italian Lourdes,” the Basilica of the Holy House in Loreto, in the province of Ancona, is one of the most visited Marian shrines. According to legend, it was built in the 4th century, but in reality, it is believed to house the authentic Holy House of Mary—the place where she received the angel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth. The house is said to have been transported from Nazareth to this location by angels to protect it from the Turkish invasion.

The devotion to Our Lady of Loreto is particularly associated with the human and familial dimension of the Virgin, as well as with Jesus, who became man. A pilgrimage site for countless worshippers, it has witnessed miraculous healings and has been a place of refuge and comfort for those burdened by physical and mental suffering. The famous Lauretan Litanies, the supplications recited or sung at the end of the Rosary, originated here. Interestingly, the legend of the house’s angelic flight led to Our Lady of Loreto becoming the Patroness of Aviation and of all those who travel by air.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tindari

On a magnificent promontory overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tindari has become one of Italy’s most famous pilgrimage sites. The shrine developed around the veneration of a Black Madonna, which sailors aboard a ship travelling from Byzantium were forced to abandon on the shore to escape a storm.
The Black Madonna of Tindari is a Byzantine Madonna, sculpted from Lebanese cedar wood and bearing the features of an empress. The current Basilica-Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tindari stands on the remains of an ancient church destroyed by Arab pirates, near the Marinello Lakes, in a stunning natural reserve.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows in Castelpetroso

In the province of Isernia, in the town of Castelpetroso, stands the Basilica-Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows. This shrine became the site of Marian apparitions in March 1888. Initially entrusted to the Franciscans and the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate, it is now managed by the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará, who welcome the many pilgrims.
The church is notable for its architectural beauty, featuring a central plan built around an octagonal hall.

Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels in Assisi

The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels was built to enclose the Porziuncola, the small chapel where Saint Francis of Assisi used to pray. This chapel was consecrated to Saint Mary of the Angels, one of the Marian titles under which Catholics honour the Virgin. To commemorate this devotion, which Saint Francis held deeply, a golden bronze statue of the Madonna was placed on the facade of the basilica.
Built to protect the Porziuncola, as well as the Chapel of the Transitus—the old infirmary where Saint Francis died after composing the *Canticle of the Creatures*—and the Chapel of the Rose Garden, where one of Saint Francis’ most famous miracles took place, the basilica has a simple and elegant design. Beyond being a well-loved Marian shrine, it represents the very heart of Franciscan spirituality.

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The face, hair and clothing are carefully detailed.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Crown

The last Marian shrine we examine is perhaps the most awe-inspiring in terms of location. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Crown is built into a recess carved into the side of Mount Baldo, on the border between Caprino Veronese and Ferrara di Monte Baldo, in the province of Verona. At an altitude of 774 metres, it overlooks a sheer drop, making it one of the world’s most famous pilgrimage destinations. With a 600-metre elevation difference and 1,500 steps, it has drawn devoted pilgrims for centuries.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Crown was founded in the 15th century to honour the apparition of the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, a small painted stone Pietà. This statue was originally in Rhodes, which was under siege by the Turks in 1522, yet it miraculously appeared here. Initially a hermitage, the sanctuary was later expanded thanks to the Knights of Malta.
Although today it is possible to reach the sanctuary by car via an asphalt road, many pilgrims choose to walk at least part of the long staircase, designed to imitate the Holy Stairs of Saint John Lateran Basilica in Rome, kneeling on each of the twenty-eight steps to reflect on the Passion of Christ.