Santuario Madonna della Corona: A Verona & Lake Garda Day Trip

At the first glimpse of the Santuario Madonna della Corona, it may feel as if you’ve landed in Middle Earth on the pages of a Tolkien novel. The cathedral, built into the rockface of Italy’s Monte Baldo and surrounded by a green river valley, has an air of mysticism and deep tranquility.

And although it may have only become more (Insta) famous in recent years, the Madonna della Corona Sanctuary has sat seemingly suspended in mid-air for hundreds of years. This religious site is as remote as it is sacred. Pilgrims have made their way to this sanctuary spot even before it even came to be the church we see today.

I first visited on an extended northern Italy road trip that I planned as part of a trip to see some houses in the north of Italy. Spending time in both Verona and Lake Garda, I knew I wanted to visit before I made my way to the Dolomites.

Let me tell you! When I first glimpsed the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona, I was awe-struck. Sitting more than 2,500 feet above sea level, this special place appears to defy gravity and inspire faith. It’s easy to think of those early religious pilgrims and how humbled they must have been when they arrived after making their way up the side of the mountain.

So in this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your trip to the Santuario Madonna della Corona whether you’re coming from Verona or Lake Garda and want to go by foot or start your journey from the closest spot. And whether it’s to worship or simply admire an architectural feat in the midst of stunning natural beauty, this guide has all the important information you need for a spectacular visit.

Andiamo!

Where is the Santuario Madonna della Corona?

The Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona is in the Veneto region of Italy, 30 miles northwest of Verona and only 12.5 miles northeast of the town of Garda along the eastern shore of Lake Garda. The closest town is Spiazzi, which also serves as the primary access point to the Santuario Madonna della Corona if you choose the easiest of the 2 options for getting there. You’ll also find other hidden gems nearby, like the Castello di Avio one of best castles near Lake Garda to visit.

The map below shows exactly where the Sanctuary sits in relation to other points in northern Italy.

History of Madonna della Corona Sanctuary

The setting of the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona has long been a spiritual place. Documents from the Middle Ages show that religious hermits and monks lived in this secluded area since the year 1000. And from the second half of the 13th century, there was a monastery and chapel here dedicated to St Mary of Montebaldo with only a harrowing rocky path for access.

When you visit, it’s easy to understand the divinity those first hermits and monks must have felt. No matter how you choose to reach the Sanctuary of the Lady of the Crown (corona is the Italian word for crown), its isolated location surrounded by nature inspires quiet contemplation just as other notable northern Italy pilgrimage sites like the Sacri Monte in Piemonte and Lombardy do.

By the 1500s, a shrine to the Lady of the Corona in this spot had become a Catholic pilgrimage and by 1685 the first Santuario Madonna della Corona dedicated to the Virgin Mary had been completed. An addition was done in the late 19th century, followed by necessary and extensive repairs and rebuilding to significant parts of the church during the 1970s.

Yet, even though you aren’t looking at the original church, the Madonna della Corona Sanctuary is nonetheless one of the most sanctified and beautiful sites in northern Italy.

How to Plan a Visit to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona

On my first visit to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona, I came from Verona. From here and Lake Garda, it’s a perfect day trip or even a half-day trip depending on how you plan to reach the church and the time you want to spend.

The easiest way is to start from the town of Spiazzi. You can walk the small road down, use the stairs, or take a shuttle bus. If you walk, this can take as little as 15 minutes depending on your pace and how often you stop for photos and reflection. Try to arrive early so you can find a spot in the parking area.

Or if you’d like to hike the trail as the pilgrims did whether for your own religious reasons or simply to enjoy the beautiful valley of the Adige River, you’ll start in the town of Brentino Belluno. Although the stepped trail is relatively short, about 1.5 miles, it climbs upward the entire time. One-way will likely take about 1.5-2 hours.

Regardless of your starting point and how you choose to reach the church, the best overall plan is to drive and the best time to visit is in the morning before everyone else does.

I’ve detailed public transportation options below but do know that they are a logistical challenge for most of the year. I only recommend these options if you’re confident that you can stick to the limited public transportation schedules and ask for help (in Italian) should you need it.

Access from Spiazzi

Once you’re in Spiazzi, a small paved road leads you down to the Santuario Madonna della Corona. It’s a beautiful and peaceful walk that’ll take about 15-20 minutes (more if you’re like me and stop to take lots of photos!)

As you walk, you’ll pass by a few farms and monuments with the Stations of the Cross along the Via Crucis, or Way of the Cross. At a certain point, the church will come into view and you’ll have an excellent vantage point to capture the breathtaking scene.

When I was there for the first time, Italy had just re-opened after the pandemic. I was the only visitor along the winding path and when I stopped to take photos and some video, the church bells rang. The combination of having the scene all to myself and the bells echoing through the valley was one of those stop-and-pinch-me moments.

Alternatively, just near the parking area, you’ll see a large flight of stairs that lead straight down to the Sanctuary. The downside here is you miss some of the scenic viewpoints and the Stations of the Cross.

If you’re not able to make the walk down or back up via the path or the stairs, a shuttle bus runs from Spiazzi down to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona.

The shuttle runs daily, every 15-30 minutes depending on the day. A round-trip ticket costs €3.50 and a one-way ticket costs €2.00. Also, in the event the road is not safe for travel, the shuttle service is suspended.

How to Get to Spiazzi from Verona or Lake Garda

From Verona, the drive takes about 45 minutes, partially along one of northern Italy’s autostradas (highways). From the Lake Garda towns of Garda, Bardolino, and Torri del Benaco, the drive to Spiazzi is between 30-35 minutes.

You’ll find a parking area in Spiazzi and the pathway down to the Santuario Madonna della Corona just nearby to the right.

Using public transportation to get to Spiazzi is not easy. There aren’t any direct train or bus options.

You’d have to take a bus from Porta Nuova train and bus station in Verona to a town like Caprino Veronese, like the 173. From there, you’d have to switch to a bus stopping in Spiazzi, like the 471.

Keep in mind, that these bus routes and schedules change with the seasons. It’s absolutely necessary to check the Verona bus schedules for when you want to visit. First, see if a bus is running and second, that you can make the connections for the round trip.

If you’re hoping to use public transportation from Lake Garda, bus line 476 runs from towns like Garda and Bardolino during the summer months only. Otherwise, you’ll need to take a combination of buses like you would if you were coming from Verona.

Good to Know: If you don’t have a car for your Italy trip and would rather avoid the hassle of the public buses, this tour from Verona handles all the logistics and includes a couple of hours at the Santuario Madonna della Corona and lunch in the mountains.

Access via the Pilgrim’s Trail Hike in Brentino Belluno

From the village of Brentino Belluno, you can hike the Pilgrim’s Path (Sentiero del Pellegrino/Sentiero dei Pellegrini), also known as the Path of Hope (Sentiero della Speranza), to the Santuario Madonna della Corona just as religious pilgrims have done for hundreds of years.

While I’ve walked many pilgrimage trails in northern Italy including up to the Sacra di San Michele near Torino and many of the Sacri Monte in Piemonte and Lombardy, I’ve not yet done this hike from Brentino Belluno. On both of my visits to the Sanctuary, I walked from Spiazzi because I didn’t want to hike alone.

While I can’t argue with you and say I didn’t opt for the easier path, I can say that seeing the Madonna della Corona church built into the mountainside was just as stunning as had I made the trek. Still, the hike is on my northern Italy to-do list.

The Hike

Given where the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona is, it’ll come as no surprise that the hike heads up towards the heavens. The hike itself is just 1.5 miles but the 1,500+ steps lining the trail take you up nearly 2,000 feet.

If you’ve done other hikes in Italy, you’ll recognize the signature red and white signs showing the way for trail #73, Sentiero dei Pellegrini. The stairs lead into a forest, past scenic points for photos, and eventually to the Sanctuary. Plan for the hike to take about 2 hours one way. This should give you time to rest and take photos along the way.

How to Get to Brentino Belluno

Whether you’re coming from Verona or Lake Garda, I strongly recommend driving to Brentino Belluno. The drive is between 30-40 minutes depending on where you’re starting. Once you arrive, you’ll find parking and a tourist info point in case you have questions. This is the absolute best way to get to Brentino Belluno.

Ultimately, having your own car will give you the most flexibility to hike at a comfortable pace and visit the Sanctuary without feeling rushed.

For public transportation from both Verona and Lake Garda, you’ll need to use a combination of buses and trains with especially limited schedules that would make it hard, if not impossible, to do the hike and visit the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona without feeling extremely rushed.

Another option is to take a train from Verona to the village of Peri but from there, it’s a 2.5-mile walk to Brentino Belluno which would take about an hour according to Google Maps. Depending on your physical abilities, timing, and overall sense of adventure, this option may or may not appeal to you.

If you do take the train to Peri, check the bus schedules from Spiazzi for your return. It’ll be easier to walk up to the village than to retrace your steps back to Peri.

Practical Tips for Visiting Madonna della Corona

Even though the Santuario Madonna della Corona has become a place for visitors to admire, it’s also a holy place with Catholic worshippers coming for Mass and silent prayer. Be respectful when taking photos and remember to keep your voice low to not disturb people who are there to pray, reflect, or attend Mass.

The Sanctuary is open year-round from 7 am to 6:30 pm every day. But remember if you visit during Mass, you won’t be able to go inside the church for a touristic visit until after the service is over.

To visit inside the church, wear clothes that cover your shoulders and most of your legs. Be mindful that if you prefer to hike in shorts and a tank top, you’ll need to change or cover up in some way.

Also note that Italy is largely dog-friendly but dogs aren’t allowed here.

Once you arrive at the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona, you’ll find bathrooms, a small cafe, and a gift shop. If you need to refill your water bottle, there’s also a fountain.

Spiazzi also has a few places to eat and stay. I had a small bite in one of the restaurants and finished up with a piece of delicious apple strudel which is more common in this part of northern Italy given its Austrian heritage.

Northern Italy Itinerary Advice

A visit to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona is a great day trip option from Lago di Garda and Verona. You could also stop on your way to the Dolomites in Trentino-Alto Adige like I did on my first visit. I left Verona by car and drove the 45 minutes to Spiazzi. After spending a few hours visiting the Sanctuary, I continued my drive north into the Dolomites to position myself for the next days in the mountains.

Depending on your northern Italy itinerary and assuming you have a rental car, you could also drive from other nearby points like Mantua, Vicenza, Padua, Brescia, and Trento. All of these points are between 60-90 minutes from Spiazzi. After spending some time at the Sanctuary, you could make your way in any number of directions to position yourself for the next day.

Is the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona Worth Visiting?

The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona is one of northern Italy’s most well-known sanctuaries. This pilgrimage destination has inspired prayers, devotion, silent reflection, inner peace, and total awe.

No one knows for certain how a vertical cliff face in the side of a mountain was chosen as the spot for this breathtaking sanctuary. Yet, to see it is to understand that some force must have destined it to be here and the reason why it still draws in religious and non-religious visitors today.

Would you like to visit the Santuario Madonna della Corona?

Like this post? Please share it using the share buttons.