The old building, now irrecoverable (having undergone numerous restorations and renovations but always precarious due to being constructed on unstable, landslide-prone ground), led the Bishop of Bobbio, Monsignor Pellegrino, to decide to build a new church on more stable land. On September 29, 1929, Bishop Pellegrino solemnly laid the cornerstone of the new temple, designed by architect Eugenio Ballatore. Construction continued until April 1930, and the sanctuary was consecrated on May 8, 1942, by the Bishop of Bobbio, Monsignor Bernardo Bertoglio.

The building, externally clad in exposed stone, features a gabled facade with a raised central section housing a rose window. The lower part contains three doors corresponding to the three naves. The interior, simple and linear, is in the shape of a Latin cross with three naves illuminated by large side windows, while the higher central nave receives light from small round windows. On the altar is the fresco of the Blessed Virgin of Mercy, which has been repeatedly modified and restored.

Description: The fresco—located on the main altar—is still the one detached from the original sanctuary. Dating back to the 15th century, it depicts the Blessed Virgin nursing the Child; the Madonna is seated and clothed in a red mantle, to which the Child clings with his left hand in a spontaneous and childlike manner. In use: between 1400 and 1500. Epiphany: Appearance of the Blessed Virgin to a mute shepherdess, who miraculously regained her speech. Image: Painting
Notes on the collection: Votive tablets; Crutches; Various objects. Types of ex-votos: Painted tablets, Various objects, Photographs. Reference to publications or printed descriptions: B. Boccaccia, *Marian Sanctuaries*, Castelsangiovanni 1997.

In 774, Emperor Charlemagne donated Montelungo with its church to the monastery of Bobbio. From the mid-13th century to 1576, there is a lack of information about the sanctuary, but it seems it was not entirely abandoned, as in 1576, expenses were allocated to repair the dangerously unstable church roof. In pastoral visitation reports up to 1630, there are references to urgent repairs and work needed to ensure the safety of the sacred building and the faithful who visited it. It was only in 1734 that the sanctuary was finally restructured, and after a period of near oblivion, it once again became a destination for renewed veneration and devout pilgrimages, spurred by miraculous appearances of the Blessed Virgin and miraculous events occurring at that time.

At the origin of the Marian devotion of this sanctuary lies the miracle that popular tradition attributes to the appearance of a Lady who, by caressing and touching a young mute shepherdess, restored her speech.

BIBLIOGRAPHY – In addition to texts specifically dedicated to this place of worship, reference is made to some significant repertoires that include sections related to the sanctuary. BIBLIOGRAPHY – BOOK – Boccaccia Bruna, *Marian Sanctuaries of the Diocese of Piacenza – Bobbio*, Castelsangiovanni 1997 (Presentation and history of the following sanctuaries of the Piacenza diocese: Blessed Virgin of Mercy: pp. 51-58) – BOOK – Fiorentini Ersilio Fausto, *Christian Piacenza*, Piacenza 1998 (Description of the churches of Piacenza. The text includes references to the following sanctuaries of the Piacenza diocese: Blessed Virgin of Mercy: pp. 160-162).

27040 Pometo PV, Italy