5 Ways to get to Santuario Madonna della Corona

Are you planning a trip to northern Italy’s Santuario Madonna della Corona? This guide will provide all the information you require in advance for your day trip, regardless of whether you plan to hike the Pilgrim’s Trail or take the short walk from Spiazzi.

The distant Santuario Madonna della Corona (Sanctuary of the Lady of the Crown) has long drawn religious pilgrims, and those who wanted to be closer to God trekked across the Monte Baldo cliffs.

In recent years, social media has shown this unique image of a church carved out of the rocks, which appears suspended in mid-air somewhere between Heaven and Earth, thereby attracting both religious, nature-loving and social media ”influencer” pilgrims seeking spiritual and cultural experiences.

Santuario Madonna della Corona overlooks the Valle dell’Adige (Adige Valley) from its perch on Mount Baldo, in the Province of Verona, Italy, at an elevation of more than 2,000 feet above sea level. Because the church rests on a tiny rock shelf, it is accessible only from above or below. Given its proximity to Verona and Lake Garda, you should definitely include it in your travel plans.

If you want to visit Santuario Madonna della Corona for religious, hiking, photogenic, Instagrammable, or whatever odd reasons, this guide is for you.

I’ll show you how to get from Verona and Lake Garda to Santuario Madonna della Corona by public transportation and car, as well as the famous Pilgrim Path route and my personal travel tips …. okay….andiamo!

OVERVIEW

A Glimpse into History of Santuario Madonna della Corona

The Knights of San Giovanni (St. John) built the original church between 1490 and 1521. On it’s pedestal are the inscriptions “HOC OPUS FECIT FIERI LODOVICUS D CASTROBARCO D 1432”, which confirms that the statue was dedicated to the Lady of the Crown in 1432 by Lodovico Castelbarco, a member of the aristocratic family of Rovereto.

Over the decades, the main chapel has gone through numerous renovations, expansions, and replacements, with a new church being rebuilt in the 20th century while retaining as much of the original architecture as possible.

Legends and Lore of Santuario Madonna della Corona

There are a few legends and local folklore associated with this sacred site:

1. The Shepherd’s Discovery: The most popular legend has it that a shepherd discovered a cave in the rocks while caring for his sheep. He found an antique Madonna and Child fresco in the cave. This extraordinary find inspired the construction of a modest chapel, which would become the sanctuary that we know today.
2. Divine Intervention in Construction: According to local legend, the difficult terrain made sanctuary construction difficult. Divine intervention and the Madonna’s protection helped the builders finish the sanctuary despite the many obstacles.
3. The Healing Powers: Another tale claims the sanctuary’s waters heal. Pilgrims and visitors think these waters may heal them physically and spiritually. This notion has made the sanctuary a popular pilgrimage spot for those seeking peace and health.
4. The Protective Presence: Many believe the Madonna della Corona protects the area. It is claimed that the sanctuary protects and comforts valley residents.

Despite being historically unproven, these legends give the Santuario Madonna della Corona mystery and reverence. They demonstrate the sanctuary’s close relationship with the community and its spiritual value.

The religious meaning of the Madonna della Corona

Catholics visit Our Lady of the Crown to pray and find peace. Its altar has a Madonna and Child statue in honor of the Virgin Mary. Cultural tourists from around the world visit the sanctuary to admire its beauty and learn about its history.

✱✱ Official sanctuary website: https://www.madonnadellacorona.it/en ✱✱

How to Get to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona

There are two main entrances to Santuario Madonna della Corona: The smallest tourist village of Spiazzi (Google Maps) and Brentino Belluno (Google Maps) village, for those wanting to take the Pilgrim hike.

A. GETTING TO SPIAZZI:

The easiest way to reach Santuario Madonna della Corona is by all means by car. Though, there are train and bus options, they require multiple transfers and a bit more patience as they don’t frequent this route.

The good part of it all is that reaching the Santuario Madonna della Corona is an adventure in itself. Here are the ways you can reach the Sanctuary:

1. By Car:

• From Verona: Take the SS12 towards Spiazzi, then follow signs for Santuario Madonna della Corona.
• From Lake Garda: Follow the eastern shore towards Caprino Veronese, and then ascend towards the sanctuary.

✱✱For limited parking spaces at Spiazzi and at the Sanctuary, best arrive early and avoid the weekends and during the holidays. You pay €2 per day for the main parking lot here. ✱✱

Rental Car options:⤵️

2. By Tour:

If you are taking this route, well you don’t need to go through all the hustle of finding your way to the Sanctuary. Sadly, as popular this location is, there are few Tours groups that go there. Check this Tour by Viator that you could use HERE . The great part about this tour is that, other than just a tour guide giving you information about the place, they also provide local lunch and wine from the area.

3. By Taxi:

This is the easiest but slightly expensive means, which helps if there are many of you going there. The cost is about €80 one-way. Taxi’s are available just outside the Verona Porta Nuova station. If you are coming from Lake Garda, there are also many taxi services available.

4. By Bus:

There are no direct buses from Verona or Lake Garda to Spiazzi, and these connections are limited and vary by season. I highly stress that you should check for the return bus schedule, as they run at limited times to and from Spiazzi. Make sure to plan your journey and leave time for connections back to Verona or Lake Garda. This option provides a comfortable and scenic route for those who prefer not to navigate the mountain roads by themselves.

Regular shuttle bus services operate from the nearby town of Spiazzi up to the sanctuary.

A. Bus from Verona to Spiazzi:

• The first (line 173) from the Verona train station to Caprino Veronese, then another (line 471) from Caprino to Spiazzi, takes about 2 hours.

B. Bus from Lake Garda to Spiazzi:

• Scheduled bus line 476 (summer service only – June to September) links Spiazzi with Garda-Bardolino-Cisano for those coming from Lake Garda. Outside these months, you’ll need two buses and the Caprino Veronese change.

Spiazzi to Santuario Madonna della Corona:

• Once you reach the village of Spiazzi, there’s a shuttle service (line 499). Shuttle buses take 10 minutes from Spiazzi to the sanctuary.
• [Tickets can be bought at the restaurant in Spiazzi, and if you are coming from the Sanctuary, there is a souvenir shop run by a nun where you can get them.]
• N.B.: If you are able to walk, you really won’t need this shuttle service, as it’s a manageable walking distance through:

1. Down a flight of steep stairs (this shortcut is10 minutes) OR
2. Via a paved path for a 20-minute walk (it’s well marked).

• ✱✱Taking the shortcut (no.1) down the steep stairs, you’d miss the cute adorable alpacas at the start and the bronze cast works by Raffaele Bonente along the (no.2) route.✱✱

Cost of one-way and round-trip shuttle bus tickets:

– One way ticket: € 2.00

– Round trip ticket: € 3.50

You can read more about the shuttle and book tickets on the official site here.

5. By Foot :

For the more adventurous souls, there are hiking trails that lead up to the sanctuary, 1540 steps to be precise. The Pilgrim’s Path is also known as the ‘Hope Trail’ (Sentiero dell Esperanza) found at the small Brentino Belluno village at the mountain’s foot.. It’s 2.5 km long and at 600 m in elevation rise, taking 1.5 to 2 hours.

There’s an ample parking area, so you can drive there, taxi there (the option I took), take the bus from Verona or Lake Garda, or take the train there then start your hike up to the Santuario.

The Pilgrim trek, though challenging, offers great nature views and serenity of the area.

I’d recommend starting the route early on hot, summer days and layer up just incase as it gets cooler as you ascend. I took this hike at the start of Autumn so it was a bit fresh. While regular shoes would do for the trek, I’d recommend bringing along some strong, well-grip trainers in case the stones turn slick due to wet conditions.

B. GETTING TO BRENTINO BELLUNO:

As I had previously mentioned, there are two main entrances to Santuario Madonna della Corona: The smallest tourist village of Spiazzi (Google Maps) and Brentino Belluno (Google Maps) village, for those wanting to take the Pilgrim hike.

1. From Verona by Public transport.

This route has 1 connection at Borghetto, so I’ll try to give you the easiest way to view, it’s 56 minutes in total.

2. From Lake Garda by Public transport.

From Lake Garda it’s pretty much the same as no.1 above ⬆️, only difference is that you need to take the high-speed train from Peschiera Del Garda Sirmione to Verona Porta Nuova station (about 15 minutes train ride) and then use same route as above ⬆️(no.1).

My Journey from Rome to Santuario Madonna della Corona

I visited Santuario Madonna della Corona as a day trip from Rome. I had approximately 6 hours for the entire journey, which included a 2-hour drive from Verona Porta Nuova Station to Madonna della Corona and back. The hike up to the sanctuary took me about 2 hours (I took slightly longer because I was filming with different camera gears at literally every point in the name of ”creating content”)…. I’d appreciate your support on my social media channels, I swear I create awesome Italian content / Travel Guides & Tips. Thank you for the great cause 🫶🫶

…..where was I???….

Umm yes, so I spent the remaining 2 hours exploring the cathedral, recording and marveling at how they managed to build this cathedral with only one lengthy, hazardous route!

To reach Spiazzi, I took the short, easy, and boring path back so I could offer you both perspectives.

Despite the challenging path, the breathtaking views and the architectural marvel made it all worth the visit.

For those in Rome, hope this helps. Here’s my point-form list of how I was able to visit Madonna della Corona on a day trip. ⤵️

Summary of my Day-Trip from Rome to Santuario Madonna della Corona:

Stages:	From:	Departure Time:	To:	Arrival Time:	Time:	Means of Transport:	Cost:
1.	Roma Termini Station	08:25	Verona Porta Nuova Station	11:38	3 hr. 13 min.	ITALO High-Speed Train	€ 21.90
2.	Verona Porta Nuova Station	12:00	Sentiero dell’Esperanza – Brentino Belluno	12:50	50 min.	Taxi	€ 80
3.	Sentiero dell’Esperanza – Brentino Belluno	13:00	Santuario Madonna della Corona	15:00	1.5–2 hrs.	Hike	Free
4.	Santuario Madonna della Corona	15:45	Spiazzi village	16:00	10-15 min.	Walk	Free
5.	Spiazzi village	16:50	Verona Porta Nuova Station	17:30	40 min.	Taxi	€ 80
6.	Verona Porta Nuova Station	18:22	Roma Termini Station	21:43	3 hr. 21 min.	ITALO High-Speed Train	€ 21.90

Places to Visit Near Madonna della Corona

While visiting the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona, there are a number of major beautiful locations to visit along the way:

1. Verona

Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” takes place in the city of Verona. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its many well-preserved medieval buildings, among them the world-famous Arena di Verona. The Adige River flows through the city center, adding to the romantic attractiveness of Verona’s picturesque streets and magnificent piazzas. It’s a fascinating mix of history and modernity, art and architecture, and ageless charm for tourists.

Travel time: Verona is only about 40 minutes from the sanctuary.

2. Lago di Garda

Located between the Alps and the Po Valley, the crystal-clear Lago di Garda, or Lake Garda, is Italy’s largest lake. Its scenic landscape and moderate climate make it a favorite among vacationers in search of both rest and recreation. Several picturesque communities with their own personalities and landmarks surround the lake. Along the coasts, you’ll find vineyards and olive trees in addition to the undulating hills.

Travel time: Lake Garda is only 1.5 hours drive from the sanctuary.

3. Monte Baldo

Sanctuary Madonna della Corona sits on the cliffs of Monte Baldo.

The Italian Alps include Monte Baldo, a mountain range in the north of the country close to Lake Garda. Beautiful scenery and a wide variety of plants have earned it the nickname “Garden of Europe.” Visitors can ride the Malcesine-Monte Baldo Cableway from the nearby lakeside town of Malcesine to the mountain’s peak with 360 views of Lake Garda and the cute Italian villages below.

Travel time: Roughly a 30-minute drive from the sanctuary.

4. Walk with Alpacas

There’s an Alpaca farm as you head towards Spiazzi village. [ Google Maps ]

Travel time: Barely a 15-minute walk from the sanctuary.

5. The Dolomites

The beautiful mountain range of the Dolomites in northeastern Italy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its exceptional beauty. The Dolomites are known for their breathtaking beauty, which features jagged peaks, high rock walls, and large alpine meadows, and so attracts nature lovers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Travel time: About 3 hours drive from the sanctuary.

GENERAL TIPS:

1. The best time to visit Madonna della Corona

Santuario Madonna della Corona is open year-round; the Spring and Summer months are excellent for pleasant weather and blossoming gardens. To avoid crowds during peak tourist season, best visit the refuge early in the morning or late afternoon.

2. What to carry

1. If you are taking the Pilgrim’s path, carry plenty of water as there are no water points.
2. If you are visiting during the summer, a hat and sunscreen would come in quite handy.
3. A nice pair of solid closed shoes would be advisable, as it’s rocky.

3. Accommodations

Immerse yourself fully in the experience by choosing accommodations in the nearby villages, such as Spiazzi. Discover lodging options that offer both convenience and an authentic taste of local life, enhancing your overall pilgrimage experience.

I also highly recommend picking up some wine while you are in the area.

Spiazzi Village offers great restaurants.

4. Rules and Respectful visits

• No dogs are allowed.
• Cover up. Avoid bare shoulders, minidresses, etc.
• Silence inside the sanctuary is paramount.

5. Facilities available at Santuario Madonna della Corona

1. ☕🍕If you are coming from the hike, you’ll definitely need some refreshments, and luckily there is an affordable caffé serving sandwiches, coffee, and surprisingly, Aperol Spritz!
2. 🏪There is also a little gift shop adjacent, run by a nun, that sells religious and tourist items. As always, I usually get a fridge magnet everywhere I travel.
3. 🚾There are washrooms available. Since I took the Pilgrim hike, I got really pressed at one point, and there were no ”points” to take a piss. I mean, the hike trail either has a climb or a dip on both sides; there is no point ”to do your business” other than doing it along the trail, you wouldn’t want to leave your prized possessions💩on the one and only trail, so luckily I was able to hold it in.
4. ⛲ There’s a water fountain for filling bottles after the gift shop.
5. 🍝In Spiazzi village, there are a handful of hotels and restaurants and a cute little square in the middle, so you may have lunch, drinks, or a snack before or after your visit.

6. Best Photo spots of Santuario Madonna della Corona

Where the shuttle bus stops near the stairs, you get a picturesque view of the sanctuary. For those coming down from the trail, you also get at a point where the view of the Santuario is pretty visible peaking between the tree branches.

The best way to get the amazing views of the church is simply to drone it, just be mindful to not aversely disturbing the serene mood and experience of other people who are visiting the place for more than simply a scenic view or Instagram shot.

Conclusion: Is it really worth the steps??

Visiting the Santuario Madonna della Corona is more than just a religious or spiritual landmark; the place blends history, tradition, serenity and natural scenery all into one.

I really hope you found these tips helpful. Let me know which of the 5 ways to get to Santuario Madonna della Corona you took and your general experience of the place down in the comments section.

If you’ve really enjoyed my guides, you can buy me a ‘virtual’ coffee ☕here.

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