San Romedio Sanctuary
San Romedio Sanctuary is perhaps the Trentino district’s most interesting example of medieval and Renaissance Christian art. Situated on a calcareous cliff three kilometres from Sanzeno, it is reached by the road that skirts the San Romedio stream travelling along a narrow gorge surrounded by steep rocky walls.
Today watched over by the Franciscan fathers, the sanctuary rises on top of a rock 70 metres tall located in the middle of a wild ravine where the Verdés stream meets the San Romedio stream, and it appears to the visitor’s eye unexpectedly in all of its beauty.
Built in several stages starting in the year 1000, the complex has undergone numerous additions and interventions over the centuries. It was only in the 18th century that it took on its present-day appearance.
The visitor covers the 131 steps of the stairs and comes across the following, one after the other, in a bold architectural route full of atmosphere that follows the pattern of the rocky spur:
- a stylish residence with portico (built starting in the 11th century, today it houses - among other things - the book shop and a refreshment bar);
- the chapels of St. George (built in 1487 and decorated with 15th and 16th century frescoes and a 17th century altar made of polychrome wood) and of Our Lady of Sorrows (votive offering of the WWI survivors);
- the church in Gothic style dedicated to St. Michael Archangel (built in 1514, it preserves 16th century frescoes and a wooden 18th century altar, on the sides of which the statues of St. Romedio and St. Francis are placed);
- the church of San Romedio (or the large/main church; built in 1536, it preserves a cycle of frescoes of 1612 on its walls), which contains the chapel of St. Vigilius preceded by the stupendous Romanesque doorway (made in the 13th century with previously sculpted pieces) and, at the top, the famous sacellum – or chapel of relics – the oldest (11th century) nucleus built near the cave where the hermit lived and where his relics are preserved.
Frescoes and votive paintings of various periods and schools of art, 18th century shrines with wooden statues and countless votive offerings brought by pilgrims contribute to composing an ensemble of priceless charm.
Several specimens of the Alpine brown bear have been living at the foot of the sanctuary in a special area set up in collaboration with the Adamello Brenta Nature Park since 1958 to commemorate the legend of the hermit saint.