Madonna della Corona – a church on the rock:
Churches are attractive places to visit for many tourists. The sacred buildings impress with their architectural styles, architectural features, their mosaic windows and church treasures. Many holidaymakers want to experience the region directly on a day trip. The pilgrimage church of Madonna della Corona in Veneto, Italy, is a splendid building and is even idyllically situated on a rock – the cultural is combined with nature. This pilgrimage destination with a panoramic view is located in the municipality of Spiazzi, in the Monte Baldo massif east of Lake Garda.
Church in the middle of the mountains:
No other pilgrimage church in Italy is located 773 meters above sea level higher than the Madonna della Corona. How to get there is left to your own discretion: it can be visited on a day trip, or the church is the desired destination after a hike through the mountains. The way to the church is relatively easy to master even for less experienced hikers thanks to the conveniently located paths. During the hike you will discover the stations of the cross and a small St. Mary’s grotto in the rock. For this reason alone, it is very worthwhile to take this path. But also the wonderful view of the Adige Valley speak in favor of climbing the summit on your own. Despite the alpine summer freshness, the solar radiation should not be underestimated:
Magnificent interior:
When you have reached the end of the path, you will find the pilgrimage church, which hugs the rock. The proximity to the rock face is also noticeable in the church. The stone walls behind the altar and on the west side are made of (almost) unworked rock. As a visitor you should also take a close look at the relief-like depiction of Mary and Jesus. The design of the portrait is reminiscent of Michelangelo’s Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica. Another eye-catcher is the artfully crafted portal. The recurring motif of the Maltese cross is reminiscent of the takeover of the Order of Malta in 1436.
Torcello island
Study trips to Italy are popular! Northern Italy in particular is a well-known travel destination. Veneto is famous far beyond its national borders for its capital Venice. The city was once built on over 100 islands connected by numerous canals. To the north of Venice, in Laguna Morta, is the small island of Torcello. It is separated from the mainland by the Canale di Burano. The island has an eventful history. A trip to Torcello is worth it!
Historical background
Torcello was an important economic center in the early Middle Ages. In addition, the island in the Venice lagoon was a well-known bishopric. There were 16 monasteries and numerous churches. Torcello reached its peak in the 10th century. The island had 20,000 inhabitants and was richer than the lagoon capital, Venice. Today only a few people live on Torcello and little of the former wealth has been preserved. Only the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Church of Santa Fosca and two palazzi from the 14th century still exude their very special charm.
Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta
The construction of Santa Maria Assunta was completed in 639. Due to its special architecture with its Byzantine mosaics, the basilica is of great art-historical importance today. The mosaics of Santa Maria Assunta are in no way inferior to the mosaics of San Marco.
There are significant sights to see in the basilica:
- Iconostasis – altar barrier from the 15th century.
- Pulpit from the 12th century.
- Templon – picture frieze with Mary and the twelve apostles.
- Madonna Hodegetria from the 12th century
- Apse mosaics from the 7th century.
- Mosaic – The Last Judgment from the 12th century
The two oldest works of art in the basilica are a holy water font and a peacock tablet from the 11th century. In the Middle Ages, people associated the peacock with the renewal of life and the resurrection of Christ, as the bird loses all its feathers in autumn, and in spring they grow back completely.
Sant Erasmo Venice
The Sant’Erasmo is the largest island in the Venice lagoon in Italy, although it is sparsely populated. It is located south of Burano and east of Murano. For many years this has been the area of Venice where the fruits and vegetables of the hungry cosmopolitan city are grown. Particularly known for Sant’Erasmo are the purple artichokes, for which the “Purple Artichoke Festival of Sant’Erasmo” is held every year on the second Sunday in May. But also Sparcsell – a very thin green asparagus is a cultivation specialty of the island. The landscape is flat and dotted with farms and small rural businesses. There couldn’t be a greater contrast to Venice, whose bell towers and churches can be seen in the skyline.
The ferry to Sant’Erasmo is number 13, which leaves approximately every hour from the Fondamente Nove stop in Venice. The boat stops at three stops on the banks of Sant’Erasmo: Capannone, then Chiesa and finally Punta Vela. The journey takes 30–50 minutes, depending on the stop. Vacationers and tourists should note that not all ferries run the full route. You should therefore make a schedule beforehand. It is also advisable to consider return times before exploring the island.
The island is a long strip of land that runs from southwest to northeast. The three main ferry stops are all on the north-western “inner” shore and overlook the lagoon rather than the sea. One has a particularly beautiful view of the lagoon from Chiesa, which is roughly in the middle of the island. One of the island’s notable buildings, the church, sits on this bank. Another, the Torre Massimiliana, is located in the southern part of the island. This building is a 19th century fortress surrounded by a moat that was started by the Napoleonic regime and completed by the Austrians. The name of the castle recalls a time when Archduke Maximilian (Massimiliano) found refuge here. Recently the fortress was restored and is now open to the public. Interesting exhibitions on art and photography as well as other cultural events take place here at regular intervals.
