DISCOVER TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE

The Sanctuary of Madonna Addolorata, at Rifiano, is considered the most important place of worship in the Merano area. The pilgrims come in thousands to visit the plaster image

of the Holy Madonna Addolorata placed on the centre altar above the tabernacle.

The first historical evidence about the cult of the Virgin Mary in Rifiano dates back to 1310, when four bishops accepted the cult practiced in "Cepella Sancite Mariae in Rifiano".

The image was kept in this chapel until 1749; the growing number of pilgrims who came forced to carry the image in a larger church.

One hundred years later, in 1465, the church was rebuilt and enlarged, and then consecrated a second time.

The origin of the sanctuary is linked to the legend that tells of the miraculous discovery of the image of Our Lady of Sorrow.