On the occasion of the reconstruction of the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, designed by Bernardo Antonio Vittone, a chapel was built along the left wall of the liturgical building, adorned with fine marbles, where the urn of Blessed Margherita was placed. Description: The incorrupt body of the blessed, preserved in a crystal urn. The urn and body of the blessed are the property of the House of Savoy; as late as 1952, Umberto II entrusted the diocesan ordinary of Alba with the custody of the same. Entered into use: in the year 1693 Relic: Other
Original location of the Sanctuary: Around the urn of the blessed Notes on the collection: The presence of ex-votos in wax and silver has been documented since the 17th century, periodically melted by the nuns. The late-imperial silver urn, dated 1840, which contains the body of Margherita of Savoy, is a Savoy ex-voto. The altar is today decorated with about thirty silver and metal heart-shaped ex-votos from the 20th century. Even today, chains and votive objects are placed on the urn. Typology of ex-votos: Jewelry items, Various objects Current preservation: In the chapel of Blessed Margherita of Savoy

In 1464, Margherita of Savoy dies in Alba and is buried in the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria Maddalena, which she herself founded in 1446. In 1566, Pius V sanctions and promotes the cult of Margherita of Savoy, then buried in a marble sarcophagus placed in the choir of the monastery. In 1670, Clement X elevates Margherita to the honors of the altars, proclaiming her blessed. The incorrupt body of Margherita of Savoy is transferred to a chapel of the old church attached to the convent in 1693, in an urn donated by King Victor Amadeus II. From this moment, the veneration by the inhabitants of Alba begins. In 1802, the monastery is suppressed, and in 1803, the body of the blessed is transferred to the cathedral. The church risks being reduced to profane uses but is purchased by some priests in 1810. In 1817: Victor Emmanuel I recalls the Dominican nuns to the monastery, and in 1825: the body of the blessed returns to the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena.
1446: laying of the first stone of the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria Maddalena in Alba; 1461: Margherita of Savoy is prioress of the convent. / 1464: death in Alba of Margherita of Savoy in the odor of sanctity. After a few days, the body shows no signs of decomposition. After temporary burial, in 1481, a special marble sarcophagus is made and placed in the choir of the monastery. / 1566: Pius V sanctions and promotes the cult of Margherita of Savoy. / 1670: Clement X elevates Margherita to the honors of the altars, proclaiming her blessed. The incorrupt body of the blessed is transferred to a chapel of the old church attached to the convent (1693). / 1747-1749: construction of the new church begins by Bernardo Antonio Vittone, where the urn containing the body of the blessed is placed in the left chapel, dated 1749. / 1802: suppression of the monastery. / 1803: the body of the blessed is transferred to the cathedral. / 1807: the entire monastery of Santa Maria Maddalena is sold at auction. The church risks being reduced to profane uses but is purchased by some priests (1810). / 1817: Victor Emmanuel I recalls the Dominican nuns to the monastery. / 1825: the body of the blessed returns to the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, in the presence of King Charles Felix and his consort Maria Cristina. / 1840: the body is placed in the new silver urn, a gift from Maria Cristina, widow of Charles Felix, placed behind a grate in the chapel where it is still preserved today. /1882: suppression of the convent. The body of the blessed remains in the church.1964: the body is moved to the altar of the same chapel, where it remains today.
After the suppression, from the end of the 19th century until the death of the last rector (1987), spiritual care was entrusted to a rector paid by the municipality of Alba. In 1952, Umberto II entrusted the diocesan ordinary of Alba with the custody of the relics. Today, the chapel is occasionally officiated by the parish clergy.
The urn and body of the blessed are the property of the House of Savoy.

12051 Alba, Province of Cuneo, Italy