Santa Maria della Bassanella

Soave and the Sanctuary of Bassanella

Soave is a village nestled in the beauty of the Lessini Mountains, in the province of Verona. Here, in its oldest hamlet, there is a church much loved by the locals; it is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta della Bassanella. It stands out among the houses of the hamlet with its beautiful clear facade, with a full-width gable resting on two columns on either side of the door. Alongside this clean, uncluttered, balanced vision are the exposed stone parts of the sanctuary, in a strong contrast that seems to have a story to tell.

An ancient history and the legend of the Marian apparition

It seems that the origins of the Sanctuary of Bassanella date back to 1098 to celebrate the apparition of the Virgin Mary to a local shepherd on nearby Mount Ponsara. Inside the church, above the altar, is a bas-relief depicting the Madonna and Child, venerated by the local community. The images are simple, the faces unrefined, features that make the bas-relief very sweet and close to the viewer: the perfection of the divine gives way to the simplicity of a mother ready to help those who will ask her for advice.

Don't miss: the Octaviary, procession to the mount of the apparition

The Octaviaryof Bassanella is a celebration held every year from August 15 to 22 in honor of Our Lady of Bassanella. It is a special time for the faithful, who flock to pray to Our Lady. On the last evening there is a torchlight procession from Mount Ponsara, where Mary appeared to the shepherd, to the shrine. Those who cannot attend this very impressive moment can still follow the route at another time of the year, guided by the Stations of the Cross that mark the path.

Curiosity: the Sanctuary of Bassanella, a jubilee church

The importance of the Bassanella Sanctuary is underscored by the decision to make it one of the jubilee churches in the province of Verona. The first time was on the occasion of the 2016 Jubilee, an honor repeated again in the 2025 Jubilee year.