Sanctuary of Calvigi

The Sanctuary of Calvigi, just a stone's throw from Granaglione in the municipality of Alto Reno Terme, has very ancient origins; in fact, the construction of the building began around 1633 and ended at the end of the century. During this time all the citizens lent a hand to finish the work. At that time one could not yet speak of a church, but only of a small oratory that was characterized by a central Greek-cross plan.

The Sanctuary of Calvigi is a sacred place dedicated to the worship of Our Lady, whose devotion has deep roots in popular faith. Its history begins in the first half of the 1500s, when the parish priest of San Niccolò di Granaglione commissioned the creation of a stone painting depicting the Virgin, attributing miraculous powers to her.

Around 1634, as thanksgiving for being preserved from the plague, the community vowed to erect a shrine. In 1635, the church was enlarged and, as indicated by an inscription on the facade, the bell tower was added in 1833. An ancient tradition, dating back to the 19th century and still alive today, is that every five years in the days before Ferragosto, the image of the Madonna is carried in procession to the church of San Niccolò di Granaglione, and then returns to the shrine on Assumption Day.

The original image painted on the rock, now deteriorated, was transferred to canvas in the 19th century. In 1954, due to damage to the canvas as well, a replacement work was made to preserve and honor the devotion to the Madonna of Calvigi.