Montegrazie between the Sanctuary, Churches and Olive Groves

Montegrazie between Olive Groves and the Sanctuary

Montegrazie is closely associated with the Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie. The sanctuary is located on a promontory shaped by olive groves and overlooks Montegrazie. At the same time, it overlooks the valleys around Porto Maurizio.

Romanesque Origins and Art in the Sanctuary

The Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie includes a Romanesque chapel with origins dating back to the 13th century. Its construction history therefore spans the 13th to the 15th century. The larger church of the sanctuary was added in the 15th century. The main building is divided into three naves by columns made of dark stone. This makes it possible to trace the development of the sanctuary through several structural elements, without the individual periods merging into a uniform building.

The artistic and historical heritage also includes the Montegrazie Polyptych. It is signed and dated 1478; Carlo Braccesco is considered its creator. The year 1478 falls within the 15th century, when the larger church was also added. For visitors interested in culture, this creates a close connection between medieval origins, later extensions and an important individual work.

Festival Tradition and Parish Church

The Montegrazie festival is celebrated every year. It is therefore just as much part of the way the place is perceived as the construction history of the sanctuary, without being limited to a single historical point in time. Montegrazie also has a Baroque parish church, built in the town centre in 1756. The parish church in the town centre and the sanctuary on the promontory are located at different points in Montegrazie. Those interested in churches and local history will therefore find different sacred connections within the village and at the sanctuary.

Museums around Montegrazie

Several museums with different thematic focuses are also located around Montegrazie. The Museum dell'Olivo Imperia is considered a museum and is located in the area around Montegrazie. The Historical Institute for the Resistance, also considered a museum, is located there as well. The Naval Museum of West Liguria is located in the area around Montegrazie as a museum. Together, these places offer cultural perspectives on olive-growing culture, the history of the Resistance and the maritime character of western Liguria, without replacing the special role of the sanctuary for Montegrazie.

Landscape Orientation

Access to the medieval Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie is part of the Rete Escursionistica Liguria. Anyone who includes the access route in their itinerary planning for Montegrazie can take its membership in the Rete Escursionistica Liguria into account. This connection also places the sanctuary within a landscape context that extends beyond the churches and works of art. Montegrazie can therefore be viewed both through its sacred buildings and through the olive-grove landscape and the valleys around Porto Maurizio.

Further Places for Orientation

Further local destinations for orientation: Piani Paorelli, Termini, Camporosso, Chiusanico, Badalucco, Fanghetto, Ciapin, Riva Ligure

To the higher-level travel overview: Imperia.