Significant structural modifications to the sanctuary were made during the 19th century: the bell tower was raised, some chapels were rearranged, and the interior of the sanctuary underwent a general restoration according to the styles of the time. Currently, the sanctuary has a rectangular plan divided into three naves: the central one with a barrel vault and the others with cross vaults. The interior is marked by octagonal brick pillars with cubic capitals supporting pointed arches. Six chapels open on the left nave and seven on the right. The central nave, ending in a polygonal apse like the side ones, is elevated and superimposed on the crypt where the miraculous image is preserved. The Capuchins, who took charge of the sanctuary in 1902, settled in an adjacent residence, later purchased in 1936. Description: In the crypt, with an umbrella vault, the 14th-century fresco effigy is preserved, depicting the Virgin nursing the Child, adorned with a blue mantle edged in gold. Beneath it, an earlier and more ancient painting is visible. In ancient times, the image was dressed in silk garments adorned with jewels and silver ex-votos, testifying to the numerous graces received. Entry into use: between the year 1300 and the year 1400 Image: Painting Location: Fonte
Original location of the Sanctuary: Along the walls Notes on the collection: The health and miraculous properties attributed over the centuries to the spring that flowed at the foot of the sacred image are attested by the numerous paintings along the crypt walls and the lost wooden panels. Miraculous healings are depicted in an etching reproducing the miraculous Virgin surrounded by the miracles attributed to her (16th-17th century). A plaque on the facade, unfortunately lost, commemorated the plague of 1497. The Virgin granted protection to the Milanese during the Manzonian plague; in Casalmaggiore, the envoy of the health prefects’ tribunal went with twelve ducats to celebrate a solemn mass at the sanctuary and another fifty gold scudi. Here, he vowed to donate, on behalf of the city of Milan, another hundred scudi if the plague were eradicated. The envoy brought with him vessels of miraculous water. The vow was fulfilled upon request by the Servites in 1637. A plaque in the convent chancery commemorates the end of the plague of 1629-30. Here, another plaque from 1870 marks the grace received and the vow made for the removal of cholera. From an inventory dated June 7, 1871, we know that the effigy of the Virgin was adorned on special occasions with silver hearts, a hand and two legs of silver, and other votive objects. Type of ex-votos: Tablets or laminae with inscriptions, Painted tablets, Jewelry objects, Other Current preservation: Corridors of the old convent Reference to publications or printed descriptions: AA.VV., La Madonna della Fontana, 1994, pp. 12-14
Oral tradition recorded by Father Giovanni Angelo Porcelli of Casalmaggiore (18th century) according to which in 1320 at the spring, a blind man was healed. Some plaques inside the church testify to the numerous miracles. An ancient engraving commemorates some miraculous events.
The origins of the sanctuary are uncertain. Giovanni Romani Abati of Casalmaggiore noted a place known as Pozzo di Santa Maria as early as 878, an indication extrapolated from a document of the cathedral chapter of Cremona. Tradition recalls another date, 1320, the year a blind man regained his sight after washing his eyes in the place known as dei Bagni, where there was an image of the Virgin painted on the wall at whose feet a spring flowed. The painting was perhaps soon after protected by a chapel, and an anonymous manuscript chronicle notes that in 1463 the construction of the current building began, on a pre-existing church, and that in 1471 it was entrusted to the Servites who completed the work.
Oral tradition dates the foundation of the sanctuary to 1320, when a blind man would have regained his sight after washing his eyes in the place called dei Bagni.
Among the aspects that testify to the sacredness of the place is the presence at the sanctuary of the blessed Toscana Gualtier, who died in 1440, who, according to the chronicles of the Servants of Mary, became a tertiary there and spent her days secluded in a cell. From 1471, the presence of the Servites at the Fontana is attested, after they had abandoned the church of San Rocco and the convent in Casalmaggiore, in the borough of Castelnuovo. The Servites then purchased the land on which they built a new common structure, in the locality of i Bagni. The general chapters were held at the convent, and many members of the Order stayed there. It was also visited by Cardinal Carlo Borromeo.
In 1480, the Servites obtained from the Archbishop of Constantinople Mons. Giovanni Lando an indulgence of one hundred days for the faithful who visited the image of the Madonna and contributed with offerings to the sanctuary. / In 1747, Benedict XIV granted a plenary indulgence to those who went to the sanctuary on the occasion of the feast of the patronage of St. Joseph.
By episcopal decree on March 22, 1937, the church of the sanctuary was entrusted in perpetuity to the Capuchins of the province of Milan and declared exempt from episcopal and parish jurisdiction. The appointment of the rector of the church is, however, reserved to the bishop, upon presentation by the provincial of the Order.
With the removal of the Servites due to the Napoleonic suppressions, through the interest of the abbot of Casalmaggiore, the sanctuary continued to be officiated by chaplains who managed it uninterruptedly between 1810 and 1902.
On October 31, 1471, the Servants of Mary arrived at the spring of Casalmaggiore. In this latter locality, they were already present between 1456 and 1457, in the church of San Rocco in the borough of Castelnuovo.

26041 Casalmaggiore, Province of Cremona, Italy