The façade is preceded by an open portico with a loggia on the sides.
Late 18th-century architecture with a neoclassical imprint.
Inside, a single stucco altar.
Restorations in 1920 and 1960.
Between 1966 and 1972, devastating floods affected the religious building.
**Description:** A terracotta panel depicting the Madonna. On October 26, 1867, based on a design by Vincenzo Bigoni of Nonantola and reviewed by Professor Ferdinando Manzini of Modena, a silver crown was made to be placed on the Virgin’s head. At the same time, an oak wood cross is also an object of worship.
**In use since:** 1637
**Image:** Painting
**Description:** A cross made from the wood of the tree, an oak, on which the image was originally placed. After the oratory was built, the oak tree where the image was believed to have been kept was cut down, and its wood was used to make a cross placed beside the entrance door. On the occasion of births, the people of Nonantola used to carve a small piece from the cross—now located to the right of the sanctuary entrance (see below)—and give it as a gift to newborns. At the same time, a terracotta panel depicting the Madonna is also an object of worship.
**In use since:** 1637
**Image:** Other
**Types of ex-votos:** Painted tablets, Jewelry
**Current state of preservation:** The collection has been looted following repeated thefts.
In 1637, the archpriest of Nonantola, Alfonso Bertoldi, decided to build a small oratory. According to tradition, the image of the Madonna was hanging on a tree. A hunter, as a dare, allegedly destroyed it with gunshots. The image miraculously restored itself the next day, leading to the decision in 1637 to construct a building to house it. In 1717, the oratory was replaced by the current one, completed in 1720. Between 1915 and 1918, the church was requisitioned as military quarters.
According to tradition, the image of the Madonna was hanging on a tree. A hunter, as a dare, allegedly destroyed it with gunshots. The image miraculously restored itself the next day, leading to the decision to build a structure to safeguard it in 1637.
The date indicated for the establishment of the first parish corresponds to the oldest document preserved there.
**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 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. Specifically: Oratory of the Madonna della Rovere: p. 145)
– **BOOK** – SILINGARDI GIANCARLO, *Santuari Mariani Modenesi*, Modena 1979 (Oratory of the Madonna della Rovere: p. 205)
– **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 history, art, and devotion: Oratory of the Madonna della Rovere: II, 88-95)
– **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 Madonna della Rovere: pp. 202-203)
– **BOOK** – *L’Emilia Romagna paese per paese*, Firenze 1987-1989, vol. VI (Brief description of the content; a publication that, in alphabetical order, describes the municipalities of Emilia-Romagna from a geographical, economic, institutional, historical, and artistic perspective. When discussing the artistic heritage and traditions of each town, it also focuses on places of worship. Diocese of Modena: Oratory of the Madonna della Rovere: IV, 57)
– **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: a guide by the Province of Modena reviewing all places to visit in individual municipalities. At the beginning, thematic itineraries are proposed, one of which is dedicated to sanctuaries: Oratory of the Madonna della Rovere: p. 231)
– **BOOK** – GARUTI, GOLINELLI, *Modena. Le chiese della provincia. Storia e immagini. La Bassa.*, Modena 1993 (Oratory of the Madonna della Rovere: p. 39).
In 1855, Pope Pius IX granted a plenary indulgence to those who visited the oratory on April 26 and a partial indulgence of 7 years to those who visited on Saturdays.
The decision to build the oratory was made in 1637 by the archpriest of Nonantola, Don Alfonso Bertelli, while the land on which it was built was owned by Count Carlo Bellicini (later by other families). The abbey curia of Nonantola recognized the patronage of the oratory to the owners of the Rovere estate. Don Paride Candeli, who wrote about the sanctuary, mentions a certain state of confusion (naturally regarding the definition of some criteria and rights between the abbey and the owners) that persists to this day.
The sanctuary was built on private land (Count Carlo Bellicini), later transferred to various owners: Opera Pia of Reggio Emilia; Giuseppe Petrazzani; Tinti Family; Bertelli Family. The abbey curia of Nonantola recognized the patronage of the oratory to the owners of the sanctuary estate.
41015 Nonantola, Province of Modena, Italy
