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Santuario della Madonna della BocciolaSanctuary Madonna della Bocciola (Vacciago di Ameno)
The Sanctuary Madonna della Bocciola, also said Sanctuary of the Bocciola, lies on the road connecting Ameno to the lake, in the hamlet of Vacciago. The large square before the church represents one of the most important terraces with a panoramic view over the Lake. Situated about 500 meters above the gentle hilly east slopes, the square offers a sight over the Lake from the hill lying behind the promontory of Orta: there you can catch a glimpse of St. Julius Island and, on the other side of the Lake, the “Madonna del Sasso” stands up stately on the granitic ridge behind Pella, farther on Monte Rosa.
The Sanctuary was built where an ancient chapel consecrated to the Virgin Mary had lied, after a miraculous event. On May 1543 28th (even though today it is celebrated on March 28th) the Virgin Mary appeared to a young shepherdess who was driving her flock to pasture: Giulia Manfredi, born dumb, saw Our Lady blazing among the branches of a plum tree, that’s to say a “Bocciolo”, in dialect. The Virgin turned to her and asked to bring a message to the inhabitants: to solemnize the Saturday, as well as Sunday, in exchange for her protection. So, the girl regain the power of speech, while Vacciago bells began ringing without being set in action by anyone.
After this event a church was built, enlarged and then completely reconstructed during the XIXth century. Some nineteenth-century frescos by Agostino Comerio adorn the whole interior. The altar was build all around the sixteenth-century fresco, the one of the little chapel before which the miraculously healed young shepherdess used to stop in prayer, showing the Virgin Mary sitting in her throne with the Infant Jesus.
A baroque church in front of which it`s worth dwelling on, especially for the sight over Cusio that you can enjoy from this romantic square.
Vacciago di Ameno
Zone
Il Mottarone
Locality
Ameno
Maps
Facilities tourist receptive
Hotel Ristorante Monte Rosa
Hotel Ristorante Britain 
Hostaria Bar Enoteca dei Santi Numi