The Sanctuary of Montallegro was built to celebrate the apparition of the Virgin Mary to the farmer John Chichizola on 2 July 1557 on the crest of what until then had been called Laeti Montis, the Mountain of Death. The name has been changed to Montallegro because of that event. Built in 1559 by the express will of the Virgin, which, according to tradition, told Chichizola "Go and say to Rapallo I want to be honoured here," Every year, on the anniversary of the apparition celebrations take place for three days on the 1, 2 and 3 July, with religious celebrations in the Basilica and Sanctuary and the awesome fireworks day and night on the sea.
From the square in front of the Sanctuary you can enjoy an extraordinary view of the west coast of the Gulf of Tigullio. |
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