The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a unique place in the Italian landscape: in fact, it is the only sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe in our country. A spiritual and cultural landmark, immersed in the history and devotion of the local community.
The origins of the cult
The spread of the cult of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Aveto Valley dates back to the early nineteenth century, thanks to the Jesuit Fathers.
According to tradition, in 1802 a young student, Antonio Domenico Rossi, brought a small painting of the Virgin to his parish, giving rise to a devotion that spread rapidly. As early as 1805, the first feast in her honor was celebrated and, the following year, Pope Pius VII granted an official celebration, fixed for the first Sunday after August 16.
In 1811, Cardinal Giuseppe Doria donated a precious Mexican painting to the community, a faithful copy of the original image that appeared to Juan Diego. This icon, now kept on the high altar, is also linked to a historical event: it is said to have accompanied Giovanni Andrea Doria during the Battle of Lepanto.
In 1815, Our Lady of Guadalupe was proclaimed Patroness of the Aveto Valley.
The sanctuary today
The current building dates back to 1928 and was constructed in the Tuscan Gothic style, following the demolition of the previous church, which had been rendered unstable by landslides. Next to the structure, the 18th-century bell tower still stands tall.
Since 1972 the church has been officially recognized as a sanctuary.
Inside you can admire:
- the high altar, with the painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe flanked by the canvases of Saint Stephen and Saint Mary Magdalene
- two side altars dedicated to Saint Anthony the Abbot and Saint Roch
- the wooden choir, the baptistery, and the Stations of the Cross, created by artisans from Val Gardena
- the bronze portal, decorated with scenes of the apparition of the Virgin
The Apparition of Guadalupe
The devotion originates from the apparition of the Virgin Mary that occurred in 1531 on the hill of Tepeyac, near Mexico City, where the Madonna appeared to Juan Diego.
According to tradition, the image of the Virgin miraculously imprinted itself on the tilma, her cloak. This icon, still venerated in Mexico today, is surrounded by elements that over the centuries have aroused great amazement:
- The fabric, made of agave fiber, has been preserved for almost 500 years
- no traces of traditional painting techniques are visible
- the stars on the mantle are said to replicate the night sky of the apparition
- the image remained intact even after a violent explosion that occurred in 1921
Our Lady of Maggiorasca
Another significant testimony of devotion is linked to Mount Maggiorasca, the highest peak of the Ligurian Apennines.
During the Second World War, the population of the valley relied on the protection of the Madonna to escape fires and round-ups. As a sign of gratitude, in 1947 a bronze statue of the Virgin, the work of sculptor Gaetano Olivari, was placed on the summit.
To this day, every August 27th, a pilgrimage brings the faithful and hikers up to the summit, in a moment of great participation and spirituality.
A place to live
Visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe means discovering a place where faith, history, and traditions are deeply intertwined.
Whether it is a moment of quiet reflection or a cultural stop, the sanctuary represents one of the most authentic and evocative experiences in Santo Stefano d’Aveto.