1870 The building was reconstructed with the alms of the faithful, at the behest of the parish priest. A sturdy stone bell tower was also added, featuring an octagonal spire and two bells; the rectory was expanded; the sacristy was erected; and a room for the choir was added.
1932 Restorations. The sanctuary was rebuilt from the ground up through the efforts of parish priest Don Cavazzuti, who used 16,000 lire obtained from the sale of the oratory of San Rocco in Sestola, which was demolished. The façade features a gable cornice with a series of neo-Romanesque arches, a large portal, two windows, and a rose window.

**Description:** A painted mural depicting the Virgin with the Child.
**Image:** Painting

**Description:** Until around the mid-18th century, a valuable sculpture depicting the Deposition of Christ from the Cross was also venerated. From the mid-18th century onward, the sculpture was moved to the parish church in the town center and is still carried in procession to the church on Good Friday after a solemn Stations of the Cross.
**Image:** Statue

**Notes on the collection:** 53 votive tablets dating between the 18th and 19th centuries.
**Type of ex-votos:** Painted tablets

According to a pastoral visit in 1654, the sanctuary is believed to have predated the parish church. The sanctuary was built to house a miraculous image of the Virgin and Child, which was said to have protected Sestola from the plague. The decree recognizing its elevation to a sanctuary dates back to 1993.

The construction of the sanctuary is said to have been intended to safeguard a miraculous image of the Virgin and Child, which allegedly saved Sestola from the plague.

The date given for the establishment of the first parish corresponds to the oldest document preserved within it.

**BIBLIOGRAPHY** – The following texts, already included in the bibliographic repertoire linked to the sanctuaries of the Diocese of Modena, contain 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: Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie: pp. 59-60)

**BOOK** – SILINGARDI GIANCARLO, *Santuari Mariani Modenesi*, Modena 1979 (Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie: p. 213)

**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: Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie: p. 204)

**BOOK** – Amministrazione Provinciale di Modena. Istituto per i beni culturali dell’Emilia Romagna, *Insediamento storico e beni culturali. Il Frignano. Comuni di Fanano, Fiumalbo, Montecreto, Pievepelago, Riolunato, Sestola.*, Modena 1998 (Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie: vol. II, 352-353)

**BOOK** – LONGAGNANI, MANICARDI, SCHIFANI CORFINI, *Le Case le Pietre le Storie. Itinerari nei comuni della provincia di Modena*, Modena 1980 (Brief description: a guide, curated by the Province of Modena, reviewing all the places to visit in individual municipalities. At the beginning, thematic itineraries are also proposed, one of which is dedicated to sanctuaries. Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie: p. 333)

It was under parish patronage from the second half of the 19th century.
The patronage passed successively through several families of Sestola: Albinelli, Martinelli, and Passerini.

Italy