Santuario Madonna dei Monti - Niella Belbo
Situato in posizione panoramica 860 metri sul livello del mare lungo la strada che conduce a Mombarcaro, il Santuario Madonna dei Monti è un edificio costruito tra il 1710 ed il 1750 ed attribuito al noto Francesco Gallo.
Realizzato totalmente in mattoni, presenta caratteristiche tipiche delle chiese barocche, sebbene riviste in una chiave più "rustica", vista la proprietà del materiale utilizzato.
La facciata, con al centro una finestra ogivale, ha un doppio ordine di lesene sormontate da un timpano triangolare, mentre il piccolo portale è decorato da cornici spezzate.
Accanto sorge il campanile in pietra arenaria.
Gli interni del Santuario Madonna dei Monti sono ad un'unica navata con due piccole cappelle laterali.
Da ammirare l'altare barocco in muratura con stucchi e finto marmo su cui si trova la pala quattrocentesca, restaurata,
raffigurante la Natività di Maria, con la Madonna nell'atto di allattare il Bambino con ai lati due piccoli angeli e due Santi: S. Giorgio, patrono della città nell'atto di uccidere il drago, e Santo Stefano diacono martire.
La datazione di tale opera fa pensare che l'attuale edificio fosse stato costruito al posto di una cappella campestre.
Durante i restauri sono stati rinvenute traccie di altri affreschi, tra cui un presunto Giudizio Universale.
Il luogo in cui si trova il Santuario Madonna dei Monti è particolarmente suggestivo.
Si tratta di un crinale da cui si gode un bel panorama sulla Valle Bormida e la Valle Belbo.
Una leggenda del posto dice che è stato edificato qui perchè è il luogo dell'apparizione della Madonna ad un bambino muto che stava pascolando nei prati circostanti. Visto che in seguito all'incontro il bimbo riacquistò la parola, gli abitanti di Niella Belbo decisero di far erigere un santuario in segno di riconoscenza e di dedicarlo alla Madonna dei Monti.
The Sanctuary of Madonna dei Monti in Niella Belbo
Located in a panoramic position at 860 meters above sea level along the road leading to Mombarcaro, the Sanctuary Madonna dei Monti is a building built between 1710 and 1750 and attributed to the well-known Francesco Gallo.
Made entirely of brick, it presents typical characteristics of Baroque churches, although revised in a more "rustic" key, given the property of the material used.
The facade, with an ogival window in the center, has a double order of pilasters surmounted by a triangular tympanum, while the small portal is decorated with broken frames.
Next to it stands the sandstone bell tower.
The interiors of the Sanctuary of Madonna dei Monti have a single nave with two small side chapels.
To admire the baroque masonry altar with stucco and fake marble on which there is the restored fifteenth-century altarpiece, depicting the Nativity of Mary, with the Madonna in the act of breastfeeding the Child with two small angels and two Saints on the sides: St. George, patron of the city in the act of killing the dragon, and Saint Stephen deacon martyr.
The dating of this work suggests that the current building was built in place of a country chapel.
During the restoration traces of other frescoes were found, including an alleged Universal Judgment.
The place where the Sanctuary Madonna dei Monti is located is particularly suggestive.
It is a ridge from which you can enjoy a beautiful view over the Bormida Valley and the Belbo Valley.
A local legend says that it was built here because it is the place where the Madonna appeared to a mute child who was grazing in the surrounding meadows. Since the child regained the word following the meeting, the inhabitants of Niella Belbo decided to have a sanctuary erected as a sign of gratitude and to dedicate it to the Madonna dei Monti.
Located in a panoramic position at 860 meters above sea level along the road leading to Mombarcaro, the Sanctuary Madonna dei Monti is a building built between 1710 and 1750 and attributed to the well-known Francesco Gallo.
Made entirely of brick, it presents typical characteristics of Baroque churches, although revised in a more "rustic" key, given the property of the material used.
The facade, with an ogival window in the center, has a double order of pilasters surmounted by a triangular tympanum, while the small portal is decorated with broken frames.
Next to it stands the sandstone bell tower.
The interiors of the Sanctuary of Madonna dei Monti have a single nave with two small side chapels.
To admire the baroque masonry altar with stucco and fake marble on which there is the restored fifteenth-century altarpiece, depicting the Nativity of Mary, with the Madonna in the act of breastfeeding the Child with two small angels and two Saints on the sides: St. George, patron of the city in the act of killing the dragon, and Saint Stephen deacon martyr.
The dating of this work suggests that the current building was built in place of a country chapel.
During the restoration traces of other frescoes were found, including an alleged Universal Judgment.
The place where the Sanctuary Madonna dei Monti is located is particularly suggestive.
It is a ridge from which you can enjoy a beautiful view over the Bormida Valley and the Belbo Valley.
A local legend says that it was built here because it is the place where the Madonna appeared to a mute child who was grazing in the surrounding meadows. Since the child regained the word following the meeting, the inhabitants of Niella Belbo decided to have a sanctuary erected as a sign of gratitude and to dedicate it to the Madonna dei Monti.
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