Santuario Beata Vergine Maria delle Grazie, Curtatone

Beautiful day with blue skies, warm sunshine, temperature about 18/20 degrees, ideal for a lovely day out. I knew of the existence of the shrine of our Lady of Grace and mercy, this is the official name, though everyone knows her as "Madonna delle Grazie". Has ecclesiastical dignity of minor Basilica. The first historical date back to the 13th century altar dedicated to the Virgin and child, country to which they had devoted the farmers and fishermen. At the end of the 14th century, the Lord of Mantua, Francesco Gonzaga, in Thanksgiving for the end of the plague, ago built a Gothic church/lombardo that in evolving and ever is first maximized, then partially demolished with various changes of destination, up to come to our days as we see it. It can be reached by a small road that leads a great churchyard which takes place, on 15 August, the international competition of madonnari. Colorful sides low houses. At the bottom of the churchyard here are the sanctuary from all too simple façade with a portico supported by columns and enriched with paintings. Entering the dark is impressive, does not filter a glimmer of light, and the cold doesn't allow you to entertain you if not to take some pictures. A single span, from the beautiful ceiling, brings you to the altar. On the sides of the aisle many niches containing dummies in paper mache, life-size, representing episodes of grace received from priests, elders, prisoners being tortured or sentenced to death. What the grace received by the most unfortunate I haven't understood, rather annoyed me. Maybe for the dark, perhaps because of the cold, perhaps for Dummies, I saw myself in front of kitsch, confirmed by the "true" stuffed crocodile and hung from the ceiling, representing evil doer of local legends. Such a disappointment.

Very different from other visited shrine. The narrative of miracles is in 3D is truly unique! Very strange the alligator suspended.

Lombard Gothic style, the shrine is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and is located in the hamlet of "Le Grazie" in Curtatone just a few km from Mantova.La where it is overlooks the Marsh waters of the Mincio river. The building up of the Church is to be placed around 1200. There are many quirks that characterize this sanctuary, votive papier-mâché Dummies stuffed crocodile hanging from the ceiling.