Sanctuary of the Madonna in Lezzeno: the church of miracles in Bellano

The Sanctuary of the Madonna di Lezzeno is located in Bellano, on the eastern side of Lake Como, in a splendid panoramic position thanks to a large terrace overlooking the waters below. If you are in this lakeside village, make sure to include this spiritual stop in your itinerary.

Once you reach the small neighbourhood of Lezzeno, which is just a few minutes' drive from the town centre, you can park right in front of the Sanctuary and go up one of the two staircases, so that you will reach the entrance of a church which was built after a miraculous event. Indeed, the history of the Sanctuary dates back to 6 August 1688. It is said that a furious summer storm forced Bartolomeo Mezzera to interrupt his work in the fields and to find refuge in a small chapel along the road. Perhaps worried about the storm that threatened to ruin the vineyards, Mezzera felt sorrowful and imploring when he looked at the little Madonna and - with great astonishment -, he noticed that the little Madonna was crying tears of blood. The gentleman immediately ran home to tell his wife about the event and the rumor spread to every house in the neighbouhood. Everyone, including the priest of Bellano, rushed to observe the miraculous event, so much so that even the archbishop of Milan was informed of it. An official investigation was even conducted by the archbishop's commission, but the event was classified as a miracle without any doubt. For this reason, it was decided to build a church in memory of the event and this was founded two years later, in August 1690. The Sanctuary, in baroque-classical style, has a three-colored facade and two large niches with the statues of Saint Peter and Saint Joseph. The interior consists of a single nave and is quite decorated and frescoed. In the area of ​​the central altar there is also a large collection dedicated to votive offerings.

The miracle chapel is located a few steps from the sanctuary. It can be reached by following the mule track that runs just behind the church. It was built in 1888, precisely in the place where the miraculous event occurred two hundred years earlier. Above the entrance door you can read: “Here in Mary's Tears the sky was thinking of the earth; in repentance and prayer let the earth think of the sky!”

The Sanctuary of the Madonna di Lezzeno and its chapel are an ideal stop for anyone passing through Bellano, including trekking enthusiasts who hike through the Sentiero del Viandante, since these places of worship are located right near this famous Lake Como-route.