At the beginning of the 20th century, the Bishop of Piacenza, Monsignor Scalabrini, advised and urged the construction of a new temple, which was to be overseen by the parish of Agazzano. In 1902, based on a design by architect Camillo Guidotti, the new sanctuary was built—the one that currently stands as the center of Marian devotion. The present Sanctuary was constructed on an octagonal plan, a characteristic feature of buildings dedicated to the Virgin Mary, reflecting the number eight, traditionally associated with her in sacred architecture. The entrance is preceded by a square-plan portico. The small temple is crowned by a ribbed dome with a terracotta lantern. Inside, opposite the entrance, stands the high altar, upon which the statue of the Madonna is placed. The previous sacred structures—the ancient chapel and the adjoining abbey, now adapted for private use—are still visible beside the sanctuary.
**Description:**
The painting—dating before 1630—depicts the Madonna of Loreto.
**In use:** Between 1600 and 1630
**Image:** Painting
**Description:**
Painting on a metal plate by Emilio Perinetti, reproducing the original, which was damaged and illegible.
**In use:** In 1902
**Image:** Painting
**Description:**
Statue depicting the Madonna del Pilastrello: the Madonna, wrapped in a royal mantle, holds the Child in her arms, who holds the world in his hand.
**In use:** In 1923
**Image:** Statue
**Description:**
Wooden statue (from Val Gardena) depicting the Madonna and Child.
**In use:** In 1937
**Image:** Statue
**References to publications or printed descriptions:**
Artocchini Carmen, *Folklore piacentino*, Piacenza 1971.
Artocchini Carmen, “Le tavolette ex-voto. Proposta per un censimento nel Piacentino,” in *Cultura piacentina tra Sette e Novecento. Studi in onore di Giovanni Forlini*, Piacenza 1978, pp. 263–269.
In 1630, a devout man from Agazzano, Riccardo Rossi, stipulated in his will a bequest of 300 lire for the construction of a larger church, intended to house the small chapel he had erected in honor of the Blessed Virgin of Loreto. This chapel had quickly become a center of devotion for all the inhabitants of Val Luretta. The church was built between 1647 and 1672, not around the Madonna’s Pilastrello but slightly removed from it. Devotion to the Madonna del Pilastrello continued at the original chapel. The new church—elevated to an abbey—declined in the following century, eventually being abandoned and converted into a residence in 1813. As devotion persisted at the ancient chapel, in 1900 it was decided to build a new Sanctuary, designed by architect Camillo Guidotti. By 1903, when the new building was already open for worship, the Pilastrello was repurposed for secular use.
**BIBLIOGRAPHY**
In addition to texts specifically dedicated to this place of worship, reference is made to some significant compilations that include sections on the sanctuary.
– **ARTICLE IN MISCELLANY**
Pezzoli Stefano, “Repertorio generale dei Santuari in Emilia Romagna,” in *Arte e Santuari in Emilia Romagna* 1987, pp. 179–239. (For the diocese of Piacenza, the following sanctuaries are described: Madonna del Pilastrello: p. 184)
– **BOOK**
Boccaccia Bruna, *Santuari mariani della Diocesi di Piacenza – Bobbio*, Castelsangiovanni 1997 (Presentation and history of the following sanctuaries in the Piacenza diocese: Madonna del Pilastrello: pp. 27–33)
– **BOOK**
Fiorentini Ersilio Fausto, *Piacenza cristiana*, Piacenza 1998 (Description of the churches of Piacenza. The text includes references to the following sanctuaries in the Piacenza diocese: Madonna del Pilastrello: p. 162)
– **BOOK**
Artocchini Carmen, *Folklore piacentino*, Piacenza 1971 (Traditions, life, and folk arts of the Piacenza region. The text includes references to the following sanctuaries in the Piacenza diocese: Madonna del Pilastrello)
– **ARTICLE IN MISCELLANY**
Artocchini Carmen, “Le tavolette ex-voto. Proposta per un censimento nel Piacentino,” in *Cultura piacentina tra Sette e Novecento. Studi in onore di Giovanni Forlini*, Piacenza 1978, pp. 263–269 (Survey on the presence of ex-votos in the sanctuaries of the Piacenza diocese and proposals. The text includes references to the following sanctuaries in the Piacenza diocese: Madonna del Pilastrello)
– **BOOK**
Medica Giacomo, *I Santuari Mariani d’Italia*, Rome 1981 (For the diocese of Piacenza, the following sanctuaries are described: Madonna del Pilastrello: p. 261).
29010 Agazzano PC, Italy