The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Frassino is located in Peschiera, in the province of Verona, nestled among the hills of Lake Garda.


It is an ancient place of worship, established during a turbulent period for the town, accompanied by a unique story that we are about to tell.

One of the reasons for the many battles throughout history lies in Peschiera's strategic position: since Roman times, it was a crossroads between Veneto and Lombardy.

Between 1508 and 1509, Peschiera experienced its darkest period: Austria, France, and Spain had secretly allied to conquer the Most Serene Republic of Venice.

French troops sent by King Louis XII arrived in Peschiera but faced strong resistance from the defenders.

They fought bravely but were massacred to the last man, and in May 1509, the town fell under French control.

It was during these circumstances that the apparition of Mary is said to have occurred, as if to show her closeness to the citizens suffering from the invaders, the plague, and the earthquake.

On May 11, 1510, the Madonna Consoler of the Afflicted appeared to bring peace and comfort to a farmer named Bartolomeo Broglia. In the Pigna district, he was bitten by a dangerous snake and promptly invoked the Virgin Mary.

She appeared to him among the branches of a European ash tree in the form of a small statue surrounded by light and saved him.

After the miraculous event, Bartolomeo dared to approach and took the statue of the Madonna in his hands, bringing it home.

He intended to show it off to his fellow villagers, but the mysterious object disappeared from the chest where Bartolomeo had placed it.
The statue was mysteriously seen again on the same tree, as if to signify the desire to remain there.

Since then, that ash tree has become a destination for frequent pilgrimages.

Between 1511 and 1514, the Marian sanctuary was built in full Renaissance style.

Approaching the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Frassino, you walk along a cypress-lined avenue until you reach the structure, flanked by arcades, with a rather simple façade resembling a hut.

The lower portion has remained unchanged from the original structure, while the upper part, where the rose window is visible, has undergone various modifications over time.

Upon entering the church, you will see it consists of a single nave with eight side altars and two chapels: the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament and the Chapel of the Apparition.

Looking up, you can see barrel vaults with five supporting arches on each side.

This architectural design is similar to the Church of Sant'Andrea in Mantua, designed by Leon Battista Alberti, which was inspired by ancient Roman basilicas. This model can be found in many sanctuaries across Veneto and Lombardy.

Among the paintings, you can admire works by the artist Paolo Farinati, observe the frescoes by Muttoni, and the 15th-century altarpiece of Saint Peter and Saint John the Baptist by Zeno da Verona. You will also notice the walnut choir with a large organ and the main altar.

Now we come to the highlight: the famous statue of the apparition, the heart around which this place of worship was built. As you can see, it is truly tiny: the Madonna holding the child measures only 14 cm and is set in the wood of the famous tree. The exact location where the miracle occurred is behind the church, next to the cemetery.

Attached to the sanctuary is the convent with two cloisters: the Birds' Cloister, so called because of the aviary in its center, and the Inner Cloister, which has a pond with fish and turtles at its center.

The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Frassino is inhabited by the Franciscan Friars Minor and is open for visits every day from 7:00–12:00 and from 15:00–19:30.

If you wish to admire it while attending holy masses, they are held on Sundays at 7:00, 8:30, and during the times 10:00–11:30 and 16:00–17:30–19:00. On Saturdays, the service is at 18:00.