The village of Grazie di Curtatone, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, is a unique place where faith, art, and history come together. At the heart of it all is the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Grazie, built as a votive offering at the end of the 14th century by Francesco I Gonzaga to give thanks for the end of the plague. Located on the banks of the Mincio River, the sanctuary has endured through the centuries, welcoming pilgrims from all over Italy and the world, as well as kings, popes, and emperors, culminating in the visit of Saint John Paul II in 1991. Inside, statues, armor, and thousands of small wax ex votos bear witness to the graces received and the devotion of the people.
Alongside its spirituality, Grazie is the heart of Madonnara art. Since the first gathering in 1973, artists from all over the world have met on the sanctuary’s forecourt to transform it into an ephemeral stage, where simple colored chalks become dreams, prayers, and tributes to the Virgin Mary. Madonnara art is both sacred and popular, ephemeral yet universal: each work is born, grows, and fades, but remains alive in the memory and heart of those who witness it.
The most recent project saw twelve Maestri Madonnari work individually in their own studios to create a collective ex voto, inspired by the history, faith, and symbols of the sanctuary. The individual works, combined into a polyphonic mosaic, depict figures such as the Assunta, Saint Pius X, Saint Roch, Saint Sebastian, John Paul II, and Saint Bernardino of Siena, turning the sanctuary into a virtual world stage and marking this historic moment.
In addition to the Madonnari Museum, Grazie hosts an open-air museum with over 60 works placed on houses and walls throughout the village, making Grazie a magical place that captivates visitors all year round. Here, art, devotion, and memory merge into a unique experience, allowing every visitor to breathe in the history, spirituality, and creativity that make Grazie a truly unparalleled village.