The Sanctuary of Montenero
Montenero, placed on a hill overlooking the sea and the port of Livorno, is among the hills of Tuscany’s most famous especially due to its famous shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Grace. It is said that a shepherd cripple, around 1345, he found a miraculous image and asked to be transported on the hill of Montenero. Heard the voice of the shepherd did as he was told and got to the top of the hill he found himself cured. Since then, that image of the Madonna has never ceased to be a source of devotion and grace for all those who are turning and the Sanctuary that is born is a place of pilgrimage and visits by a large number of people.
Origins
The origins of the shrine dates back to May 15, 1345, the feast of Pentecost, when, according to tradition, a poor crippled shepherd found the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary and following inner intuition led her on the hill of Montenero, a place already known as a refuge of brigands and considered for this dark, gloomy … the “mountain of the devil.”
Beyond the many legends surrounding the history of the discovery of the image of the Madonna, which critics attributed instead to a certain Jacopo di Michele Gera said, it seems that image appearance in Montenero following a revival of religious fervor, around to 1341. In this year of the inhabitants of Livorno, then little more than a fishing village, would organize a cult of self-sacred images painted recently, however, opposed the ecclesiastical authorities intimated that the cessation of worship, and the disappearance of its images. We can not exclude that in front of this hostility, the image was hidden and later found near the shore of the river Ardenzo””, from that zealous pastor who took her to the top of the mountain in order to entrust almost certainly the custody of some hermit .
The history
The fame of the miracle spread quickly, because of the many graces made by the Blessed Virgin and the pilgrimages begin with they are on the increase for the small chapel that houses the Madonna. Already in 1380 work began to expand the chapel and premises that served to protect the pilgrims. For the first custodians of the shrine, almost certainly the friars tertiary, followed in the cases of the Jesuits (1442-1668) and Teatini (1668-1792) then indicated as the most qualified to perform the service in the Sanctuary. In fact, in 1720, work began on the Theatines expansion of the Sanctuary which was finished in 1774. During this time, Our Lady of Montenero worked some miracles in favor of the entire city including the one in 1742 when the city was devastated by an earthquake and once again rescued by his patron and his image which was brought to the city and placed in front of the Collegiate. In Livorno that miracle was never forgotten much that is renewed every year the hope that the Livorno made to Our Lady “… to fast in perpetuity January 27, of no dancing, no masks, to assist in the Collegiate same all’annua function … thanks.” In 1792 the sanctuary was entrusted to the Benedictine monks of Vallombrosa which are currently the custodians.
Montenero is among the places of Tuscany’s most famous especially due to the presence of the Sanctuary. Set on a hill at 300 m asl, Montenero has a wide horizon of the sea and land area of outstanding beauty. Awesome views open before the eyes of observers. From here you can look down to the rock of Meloria, memorable for the betrayal of Count Ugolino (1284) and the famous battle between Genoa and Pisa, but also the plain with its Port of Livorno and that of Pisa. To the south you can see the island of Elba, Corsica and Sardinia: its wonderful sunsets. The name “Montenero” is due to an old famous saying this resort mountain dark, perhaps because covered with jagged ridges and infested with robbers who, in all probability, here waiting for the arrival of ships to which the assault. Montenero joined Livorno with a bus and a funicular that goes up to the square in front of the Sanctuary. The upper square was created by monks in the last century almost atrium discovered the Sanctuary itself. On one side stands the facade of the church, across the street Famedio: chapels that contain the mortal remains of large Livorno such as Guerazzi, Marradi, Meyer, Castles, Farms and a plaque in memory of Pietro Mascagni and Amedeo Modigliani.
L ‘8th September the festival being felt in the pilgrimage of the locals which is uninterrupted and the shrine is lit up at night after night Marian procession from the Chapel of the Apparition at the Shrine itself.
The Chapel of the Apparition
Located just before the Carriage Square, is the place where the tradition dates back to the discovery of the image of Our Lady of Montenero by a shepherd. Built in 1956, the larger and more beautiful than the pre-existing in the same place where he was the” Chapel “partially destroyed during the last war (1943).
Church
The Church in Baroque style, very charming and inviting to meditation and prayer. On the main altar stands the Sacred Image of Mary in a marble shrine surrounded by a golden halo. The image of the Virgin, attributed to the school of Pisa and in particular to Jacopo di Michele said Gera, is painted on canvas superimposed at the table. The Virgin with the red robe and blue mantle, is sitting on a pillow and around the head is the word “Ave Maria Mater Christi”. The face is tilted toward the child who sits with her hands in her lap clinging to the mother’s robe, holding a thread that binds the bird gently on the arm of Mary, as if to indicate that faith is like a thread that draws the salvation Christ which keeps us united devotion of Our Lady.
Other important works of art are the Dome of the Church and the Tele side altars. In the dome, restored in 1992, is represented in the Paradise feast for the highest glorification of Mary, crowned Queen of men and of angels. The painting, executed in 1773, is the work of the famous master Traballesi. In the wonderful scenery saints and angels appear with Old Testament characters: Adam and Eve, David, Daniel, Aaron, Moses, Samson etc. up to St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist, St. Anna S. Cecilia and other martyrs. The most important are the Tele instead of San Giovanni Gualberto, founder of Vallombrosa, in the second altar on the right. The Canvas by an unknown artist depicts the saint in prayer in the background of the heights of Vallombrosa, the feet with the abbey founded by him. Another Canvas, located in the third altar on the right, depicting the Assumption of Mary and is the work of Philip teatino Galletti. In the bottom of the canvas, in the center, there is a niche in which is guarded, well-preserved a crucifix which is assumed to have been originally in a cave in the place Hermit, overgrown cliff on the sea coast near Livorno. On the sides of the Virgin are represented the Apostle St. Peter and the S. teatino Andrew Avellino. Always Galletti is the painting of Our Lady appeared to St. Gaetano Thiene, and presented the Child Jesus was solemnly inaugurated in 1696 on the feast of the Name of Mary.
