Grizzana Morandi
The sanctuary is an important building erected by Comacine masters; it is located in the green area Parco Provinciale of Montovolo.
In the past, the sanctuary was quite important and was located between the Byzantine exarchate and the Lombard kingdom.
The church was built in the XIII century on the ruins of a temple, possibly pagan, which had been donated by the bishop Adalfredo to the monks of the church of San Pietro in Bologna; the old temple had been destroyed in 1240 by the anti-papal army supported by Federico II.
The current building was rebuilt after a fire that destroyed it in the XIII century; it has a single nave, the roof has wooden trusses and the walls are made of local sandstone. The presbytery is slightly raised and has a cross vault. There are still various early Romanic features, such as some decorated capitals; the doorway bears the inscription "A.D. MCCXI", indicating the date of construction, followed by "1211 R.O.I.P." (under the reign of the emperor Ottone IV of Brunswich). The church houses a XVI century painted wooden sculpture of the Madonna and child, made by an unknown artist, as well as a Byzantine cross, paintings and frescos, such as the XVI century one with the Madonna with the saints Rocco, Sebastiano and Giorgio. In the Middle Ages, the church acquired a relic of the sacred cross which was worshipped here since then.
The XIX century bell tower is on the right of the church; it has lancet windows and a sun dial bearing the date 1835 and the inscription "Alor che il sol mi si farà palese, darò l'ora germanica o francese".
Not far from the sanctuary there is a guesthouse, where it is possible to stay overnight in the summer months (for more information you can contact the municipality of Grizzana Morandi).Map
Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Consolazione (Montovolo)
40030 Grizzana Morandi
