Sanctuary of the Madonna degli Emigranti

The sanctuary of the Madonna degli Emigranti (of the migrants) lies on a hill nearby the village of Ronchidoso, in a beautiful spot just few km away from Gaggio Montano, since "this sanctuary should belong to everybody", according to an old saying which is still popular amongst the locals. The sanctuary of the Madonna degli Emigranti (of the migrants) lies on a hill nearby the village of Ronchidoso, in a beautiful spot just few km away from Gaggio Montano, since "this sanctuary should belong to everybody", according to an old saying which is still popular amongst the locals.

The sanctuary was built by Monsignor Carlo Emanuele Meotti, who chose also the location; it was meant to be named after the sacred family that migrated to Egypt and the plan included shelters for travellers. On one side of church these rooms for pilgrims and travellers are still visible. The church houses an early XX century oil on canvas depicting the flight into Egypt, which exemplifies the experience of all the people that have to migrate. Indeed, Don Meotti built the sanctuary also thanks to the generous offers of migrants, especially from America; at the beginning of the XX century, Gaggio Montana’s economy was extremely poor and many people were forced to migrate. The church was officially inaugurated in August 1906 by the Cardinal Domenico Svampa. Sadly, during World War II various dramatic events took place in this sanctuary.

The church of the sanctuary of Ronchidos was the birth place of the partisans group "Giustizia e Libertà", which was founded on June the 24th 1944; the group was active in this area as well as around the province of Modena, trying to fight off the Nazis. The group was formed by local young men that were mainly trying to avoid to be enrolled in the republic of Salò or to be deported to Germany; in fact, several young man from these areas, as well as from other parts of Italy, were deported. On September the 29th 1944 "Giustizia e Libertà" fought a dreadful battle with the Nazis and several locals were brutally killed.