The Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Preval: A Beacon of Faith and Rebirth on the Collio

A place of borderlands, silence, and rebirth. The Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Preval, clinging to the green hills of the Collio, safeguards a centuries-old history of devotion, destruction, and miraculous reconstruction. More than just a church, it is a symbol of resilience for the local community and a destination for pilgrimage for those seeking peace and spirituality.

History and Founding Legends

The documented history of the sanctuary begins in 1499, with a curious official summons to the parish priest of Mossa, who refused to go celebrate Mass at the church of “Santa Maria in Prevallo” on Marian feast days. This tells us how deeply rooted the cult was already in this isolated place.

The origins, however, are lost in legend and popular faith. Oral tradition tells of two prodigious events that prompted the construction of the church:

• The miraculous discovery of a **statue of the Madonna in a bush**. Taken to the parish church of Mossa, the statue would mysteriously return to the place of its discovery, a clear sign of the Virgin’s will to be venerated there.

• The appearance of an **extraordinary light** coming from Mount Montesanto, which illuminated a precise square of land, indicating the exact spot to build the sacred place.

These narratives, handed down for centuries, are the heart of the devotion that has animated this place, born as a service church for the more distant inhabitants of the Parish of Mossa.

The Architecture: Between Destruction and Philological Rebirth

The building appears as a rectangular structure with a polygonal apse. From surviving descriptions, we know it had a portico, two bells, and two altars, one of which was external, placed right under the portico for outdoor celebrations. The presence of an attached cemetery is attested from 1593.

Its appearance changed radically in the first half of the eighteenth century, thanks to a **considerable expansion** promoted by Baron Agostino Codelli, a patron who redesigned the religious face of the area and obtained from Maria Theresa of Austria the right of patronage over the Parish of Mossa.

The twentieth century brought very hard trials: during the First World War the church was incorporated into the perimeter of a powder magazine, but the most severe blow came with a **bombing raid in the Second World War** that severely mutilated it. A post-war reconstruction, unfortunately, added structures that were poorly harmonious with the original, and the sanctuary fell into a slow abandonment.

The true rebirth began in 1990, when a committee of citizens promoted the rediscovery of the place and the feast of the “Perdon del Preval”. Following the apostolic visit of Pope John Paul II to the region, renewed interest led to a philological restoration intervention, which restored the sanctuary according to its eighteenth-century typology, erasing the inappropriate additions and restoring its ancient dignity.

The Miraculous Statue and Devotion

The heart of the sanctuary is the venerated statue of the Madonna and Child, a masterpiece of popular devotion.

• **Dating and School**: It dates back to the 15th century and is attributable to the Tolmezzo sculptural school, known for its wood art.

• **Description**: It depicts the **Madonna seated on a stool** who, with her right hand, tenderly supports the Child and, with her left, a scepter. She wears a dress and a veil of medieval fashion, with a golden cloak on the outside and blue on the inside. The **Child Jesus**, covered only by golden swaddling bands, holds the orb of the world in his little hand.

This statue is the tangible object of the founding legends and the focal point of centuries of prayer, as evidenced by the ex-votos (painted tablets, inscribed metal sheets) that over time the faithful have left as a sign of grace received.

How to Visit and Traditions

The sanctuary is a **filial church of the Parish of Mossa**, and its spiritual care has always been, probably since its foundation, the responsibility of the parish priest of that community.

The Perdono del Preval: The main feast, revived since 1990, is a central event for the community, a moment of meeting, prayer, and reconciliation.

The Plenary Indulgence: As testimony to its spiritual importance, in 1994 Pope John Paul II granted a plenary indulgence to those who visit the sanctuary on the main feast days or on the occasion of particular pilgrimages. This makes Preval a privileged destination for believers.

A Pilgrimage Experience: Visiting Preval today means traveling the roads of the Collio, among vineyards and villages, to reach a place that has survived history. It is an opportunity to pray before the ancient statue, reflect on the capacity of faith to be reborn, and enjoy a panorama that invites silence and interiority.

Curiosities and Research Insights

• **The Mystery of the Location**: For security reasons, the current location of some ex-votos and of the statue itself is not disclosed, adding a veil of mystery to the visit.

• **Among the Parishes of the Collio**: The sanctuary can be included in a fascinating itinerary of discovery among the historic churches and parishes of the Goriziano Collio, a journey into the history and sacred art of the borderlands.

• **Pastoral Visits**: The reports of pastoral visits (such as those of 1570, 1593, and 1753) allow us to reconstruct the life and transformations of this place over the centuries, a real journey through time for enthusiasts of local history.

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Preval is not just a monument, but a **living testimony** of how the faith of a community can heal the wounds of history and restore light to a place symbolizing peace and devotion.