The sanctuary has a Greek cross plan with a dome resting on an octagonal drum. Construction of the bell tower began in 1578 and was completed in 1582. In 1781, work began on renovating the facade. The portico in the square dates back to 1819.
**Description**: The painting, dated 1663, serves as the altarpiece and depicts the apparition of the Madonna to the young Maria Amadini.
**First use**: In the year 1663
**Image**: Painting
**Description**: The statue represents the epiphany of the Virgin to the shepherdess Maria Amadini.
**First use**: In the year 1550
**Image**: Statue
**Original location of the sanctuary**: Around the altars
**Types of ex-votos**: Painted tablets, Various objects, Other
**Current preservation**: On-site in the sanctuary
**Reference to publications or printed descriptions**: Sabatti, *La apparizione della Madonna*, 1980
Traces of received graces remain in the sanctuary through some documents from Bovegno and in the Municipal Provisions.
Just a few days after the apparition in 1527, the construction of the sanctuary was decided. In July of the same year, a canonical process was overseen by Bishop Mattia Ugoni, leading to the concession of a portable altar until the church was built. The first indulgences were granted in 1532–33.
*”On the 14th of the past month, a young orphan girl, 22 years old, beautiful and sound in body and mind, in the area of Valtrompia, about 20 miles from here and near Collio by five miles, who had spent many years with two orphaned brothers as their mother and father, and at that time one of them was bedridden, ill, without any means not only to cure his sickness but even to live… Hearing her brother lament his fate and especially his hunger, […] she took a small sickle in hand and went to cut some twigs at the base of the woods to gather a bundle of firewood. At the first strike near the ground, a great quantity of silver coins of unfamiliar minting sprang forth like a fountain […] She filled her apron and ran to the village to show them and recount the event to the elders of the town, called Bovegno. Many went to the same place […] but no one found anything. On the fourth day, she returned alone with a rosary in hand to thank the Madonna, to whom she attributed this blessing, when she heard a voice calling her by name […] and at that moment, a Our Lady appeared before her, dressed in white and in monastic attire, of such dignity and beauty and in such splendor throughout the place […] She said: ‘Know that I am the Virgin Mary, to whom you are so devoted […] and know that on the first day of this month, May, my Son had prepared a scourge upon the earth like never before, and I, kneeling at His feet, showing Him the breast where I nursed Him and asking for grace, obtained the remission of this scourge. Therefore, you must reveal this to all and say that everyone should fast on three Saturdays with bread and water and do penance for their sins […]’. Then she disappeared, leaving behind an incredible fragrance that has largely endured to this day.”* (Text taken from the report by Graziadio da Collio to the ducal secretary Vincenzo Giodoto, June 18, 1527, published in Sabatti, *Le apparizioni della Madonna*, 1980).
The sanctuary has been visited by numerous bishops and cardinals, including the Cardinal of Milan, G. B. Montini, the future Pope Paul VI.
The first indulgences granted to the sanctuary date back to 1532–33 and were issued by Cardinal Francesco Cornelio.
25061 Bovegno BS, Italy
