Province Province of Livorno | Phone +39 0586 579627 | |
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Address Piazza di Montenero, 9, 57128 Livorno LI, Italy Similar Fortezza Nuova, Monumento dei Quattro Mori, Torre di Calafuria, Acquario comunale Diacinto, Terrazza Mascagni | ||
Santuario di montenero in livorno italy
The Shrine of Our Lady of Grace, also known as Sanctuary of Montenero, is a religious complex on the Monte Nero Livorno Hills, in Livorno, central Italy.
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The complex, elevated to the rank of Basilica and maintained by Vallumbrosan monks, is devoted to Our Lady of Grace of Montenero, patron of Tuscany. It also includes a rich gallery of votive offerings.
HistoryEdit
To commemorate a legend, a small Chapel was built at the beginning of the road that leads to the shrine dating back to 1603. In 1956 it was replaced by a larger church.
The Theatine monks enlarged the sanctuary. Between the end of the 16th century and early 17th century an oval atrium was added and richly decorated. After the suppression of religious orders by Grand Duke Peter Leopold, the sanctuary fell into ruin. It was later restored.
GrottosEdit
The presence of caves dug into the hill behind the shrine is attested since ancient times and probably have also been a refuge for robbers. In the early 20th century, they were extended as a result of an excavation company, which obtained permission for the extraction of the stone material. Having hosted shelters during World War II, it had been fully consolidated in 1971 and then open to visitors of the shrine.