Parrocchia Santuario Nostra Signora delle Grazie, Porto Venere

The church was built by monks of San Colombano. In the Napoleonic period some religious orders were suppressed and the monks were expelled. Thus the church, the convent with the library and the monastic archive were abandoned. To date, the convent has been transformed into a private residence while retaining, in its total integrity, the cloister and the refectory. The church, has a beautiful staircase surrounded by olive trees, is in Gothic style. Formed by a single nave with a cross vault. The choir was sculpted and inlaid by the friar Paolo da Recco between 1496 and 1501. As well-preserved works we find a painting of Mary. In the first altar on the right side is the panel of the Tuscan pictorial school depicting Santa Margherita da Cortona, datable to the first half of the 16th century; in the third altar on the left the Miracle of Saint Venerio by Giovanni Battista Casoni; in the following a Madonna with Child and saints, perhaps attributable to the painter Domenico Fiasella; the large painting portraying St. Francis begging forgiveness from Assisi is the work of Domenico Piola. There are also frescoes, in the refectory, depicting, among other things, the Crucifixion of Jesus; the work has been attributed to Nicolò Corso dating back to 1446 and 1503. The church is very beautiful and is located in a very beautiful seaside village!

A place to which many memories, including recent ones, bind me. One of the most important Marian places of worship in Liguria. On September 8, the Madonna delle Grazie is celebrated and is placed in the church. A visit not to be missed.