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The Sanctuary of "Monte Berico"
Sanctuary of Monte Berico, Vicenza, Veneto, Italy
December 18, 2004 - 11:30 UTC (12:30 local time)
© 2004 Giorgio Marchetto, All Rights Reserved.
The statue representing the Madonna (Virgin Mary) of Monte Berico was sculptured out by Nicolò da Venezia in 1430, two years after Her second apparition to the old peasant Vincenza Pasini. They were bad times for the people of Vicenza, who had been suffering from a terrible plague for years. The Madonna promised that if they built a church on the top of the hill she would rid them of the plague. The citizens kept their promise and the church was built in 3 months. The plague was eradicated forever.
The original church later became a sanctuary. It was projected by the Architect Carlo Borrello (1688) and was decorated by the sculptor Orazio Marinali from Bassano The original church has been often restored during the centuries, with the contribution of famous architects such as Palladio, Piovene and Miglioranza. All these changing are still visible nowadays.
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