Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie, Cinque Terre

Religious Building in Vernazza

The sanctuary of Nostra Signora delle Grazie or San Bernardino is a Catholic place of worship situated in the locality of San Bernardino within the municipality of Vernazza, in the province of La Spezia.

The sanctuary is part of the “Sanctuaries of the Cinque Terre,” along with the sanctuary of Our Lady of Montenero in Riomaggiore, the sanctuary of Our Lady of Health in Volastra, the sanctuary of Our Lady of Reggio in Vernazza, and the sanctuary of Our Lady of Soviore in Monterosso al Mare. Historical sources indicate that the current building was constructed during the nineteenth century on the foundations of an ancient chapel built in the late Middle Ages.

The church follows a simple design, featuring a single nave with a rectangular plan in Romanesque style. The facade is composed of squared ashlars, and the upper section is adorned with small arches. The Romanesque portal, crafted from ogival sandstone arches, is surmounted by a Gothic mullioned window. The bell tower is stout and sturdy, adding to the overall architectural appeal.

Narrow single lancet windows are situated on the sides of the sanctuary. The external structure evokes the architectural style of the tenth century, while the interior has undergone significant alterations and is covered by a barrel vault.

Among the preserved artistic elements is a canvas of the Madonna and Child, which was crowned in 1874. Originally, this artwork was displayed alongside depictions of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and Saint Bernardino of Siena. However, the icons have since been separated, with the image of the Madonna positioned above the high altar and the two saints in oval frames on the side walls.

The feast day of the sanctuary is celebrated on September 8th.

The Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie, Cinque Terre appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Vernazza!

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