Grazie, the Village of the Madonnari

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Carlo Bottani - Mayor – Municipality of Curtatone
This is a wonderful project that continues the effort to promote the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Blessed Virgin of Grazie and Madonnara art, in one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Grazie di Curtatone in Mantua. From here, from the Open-Air Museum and through this marvelous work—these 12 pieces, 12 ex votos—there is also a plea to the Heavenly Mother for help in overcoming this pandemic, not only in our territory but around the world.
It is precisely this universal art that we entrust, a path of enhancement capable of encompassing not only our region, our beloved country, but the entire world.
So, the invitation is to come to Grazie di Curtatone to admire this universal art represented by the Maestri Madonnari in the Municipal Museum and to visit this sanctuary, which is unique in Italy.
Grazie, the Village of the Madonnari, is where the first edition of the very first competition was held in 1973, and from here the journey continues around the world, with festivals taking place internationally. Only in Grazie do the promotions from simple Madonnari to qualified Madonnari and then to Maestri Madonnari take place, and here is this marvelous museum of Madonnara art, of the Maestri Madonnari, and of the training school. Grazie is truly the heart of Madonnara art worldwide.
In addition to the wonderful traditional museum, we have also inaugurated an open-air museum—something extraordinary and unique—with 60 works displayed on the houses and walls of the village, making Grazie a magical place capable of offering real emotions throughout the year.

The village of Grazie di Curtatone, recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, is the beating heart of Madonnara art in the world. Here, in 1973, the first National Madonnari Competition was born, giving rise to festivals and international events that have brought this unique art form to every corner of the globe.

Grazie is the place where Madonnari embark on their artistic journey: from simple enthusiasts to qualified Madonnari, and eventually to Maestri, guardians of a tradition that intertwines spirituality, creativity, and faith. The Madonnari Museum, together with its dedicated training school, preserves this heritage and fosters its dissemination.

Alongside the traditional museum, Grazie also hosts a remarkable open-air museum: over 60 works displayed on the houses and walls of the village, making it a magical place capable of moving visitors throughout the year.

This unique experience is inseparably linked to the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Grazie, a place of devotion and spirituality that has welcomed pilgrims for centuries. Here, art and faith meet, where the talent of the Madonnari becomes a universal language of prayer and hope.

Visiting Grazie means immersing oneself in a cultural, artistic, and spiritual heritage like no other: a village that tells the story of a universal art and continues to share it with the world.