The worship initiated in the chapel led to the decision to erect a sanctuary (1843). It was only in 1884 that the decision was made to begin the construction of the building when Don Egidio Torlai promoted an official committee to resume the work.
In 1956, a restoration campaign took place with the addition of decorations by the painter Botti.
In 1980, further restorations.

Description: According to tradition, the origin of the worship of the image can be traced back to the initiative of the mason Luigi Sabbatini, known as Cioldo (nail), from Missano, who in 1796, after escaping from the Montetortore prison and hiding in the woods of Monte Vecchio, also known as Monte della Riva or della Cisterna, brought to the top of the hill, near the remains of an ancient castle, an image of the Madonna, received as a gift from a certain Maria Iubini of Ca’ di Carletto, with whom he had taken refuge, and placed it in a niche carved into the rock. This image was brought to the sanctuary on May 2, 1886.

Image: Painting
Type of ex-votos: Tablets or plaques with inscriptions, Painted tablets, Jewelry objects

Originally, on the site of the current building, there was a niche housing the image of the Madonna of San Luca. In 1796, the niche was transformed into a small chapel. The worship initiated in this chapel, called della Cisterna (1835), led to the decision to erect a sanctuary (1843). In reality, the work proceeded slowly due to disputes among the neighboring landowners. In 1855, there was a growth in devotion around the image, also following the spread of the cholera epidemic. However, it was only in 1884 that the decision was made to begin the construction of the building when Don Egidio Torlai promoted an official committee to resume the work. The inauguration, however, did not take place until May 2, 1903.

According to tradition, the origin of the worship of the image can be traced back to the initiative of the mason Luigi Sabbatini, known as Cioldo (nail), from Missano, who in 1796, after escaping from the Montetortore prison and hiding in the woods of Monte Vecchio, also known as Monte della Riva or della Cisterna, brought to the top of the hill, near the remains of an ancient castle, an image of the Madonna, received as a gift from a certain Maria Iubini of Ca’ di Carletto, with whom he had taken refuge, and placed it in a niche carved into the rock. This image, believed to be the origin of the protection from the cholera epidemic of 1855, was brought to the sanctuary on May 2, 1886.

The erection of the sanctuary would be attributed to the protection provided by the image against the spread of cholera in 1855, when the image was kept inside the parish church of Missano.

BIBLIOGRAPHY – The following texts, already included in the bibliographic repertoire linked to the sanctuaries of the diocese of Modena, provide references and useful bibliography for the ongoing research:

BOOK – BALDELLI FRANCA, *Gli archivi parrocchiali della provincia di Modena*, 1994. (The work examines all the parishes of the diocese of Modena-Nonantola, briefly reconstructing their history and documentary heritage. In particular: oratory of the Blessed Virgin of Providence of Monte della Riva: pp. 102-103)

BOOK – MONTANARI GIANCARLO, *Itinerari mariani*, Modena 1991. (The author examines some of the main oratories and sanctuaries dedicated to the Virgin in the diocese of Modena-Nonantola, providing information on their history, art, and devotion: oratory of the Blessed Virgin of Providence of Monte della Riva: pp. 148-153)

ARTICLE IN MISCELLANY – PEZZOLI S., *Repertorio generale dei santuari in Emilia Romagna*, in *Arte e santuari in Emilia Romagna*, Cinisello Balsamo 1987. (Diocese of Modena: oratory of the Blessed Virgin of Providence of Monte della Riva: p. 205)

BOOK – *L’Emilia Romagna paese per paese*, Florence 1987-1989, vols. VI. (Brief description of the content; it is a publication that, proceeding in alphabetical order, describes the municipalities of Emilia-Romagna from a geographical, economic, institutional, historical, and artistic point of view. When discussing the artistic heritage and traditions linked to each individual town, it also focuses on places of worship. Diocese of Modena: oratory of the Blessed Virgin of Providence of Monte della Riva: V, 360)

BOOK – LONGAGNANI, MANICARDI, SCHIFANI CORFINI, *Le Case le Pietre le Storie. Itinerari nei comuni della provincia di Modena*, Modena 1980. (Brief description of the content: it is a guide, curated by the Province of Modena, that reviews all the places to visit in the individual municipalities. At the beginning, some thematic itineraries are also proposed, one of which is dedicated to sanctuaries. Oratory of the Blessed Virgin of Providence of Monte della Riva: p. 56 and 347).

The patronage, continued until 1974, was expressed through the activity of custodians.

41059 Missano MO, Italy