Our Lady of the Grisallo

Marian Advocation of Magreglio (Lombardy)

La devoción a Our Lady of the Grisallo was born in the context of the small sanctuary of Magreglio, in the province of Como, on the lake of Como, in Lombardy (Italy), and is linked from ancient to a local Marian advocation whose center of veneration is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Ghisallo. The devotional tradition presents this place as a colina- protection for travellers and, over time, for cyclists who ascend through that area of Lake Como.

Main data

Origin and history

La devoción a Our Lady of the Grisallo was born in the context of the small sanctuary of Magreglio, in the province of Como, on the lake of Como, in Lombardy (Italy), and is linked from ancient to a local Marian advocation whose center of veneration is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Ghisallo. The devotional tradition presents this place as a colina- protection for travellers and, over time, for cyclists who ascend through that area of Lake Como.

As for the documented historythe modern consolidation of this devotion is related to the initiative of the rector of the sanctuary, Don Ermelindo Viganòwho in 1947 asked that the Virgin of Grisallo be recognized as patron of Italian cycling. The request was received and, in 1949, Pius XII la proclamó universal patron of cyclists. Some secondary sources mention 1948 as a year of proclamation, so it is appropriate to keep the fact that the pontifical confirmation is in the late 1940swith special support on the date of 1949 that repeat several divulgative references.

The image and the sanctuary

The venerated image is, according to the information sources consulted, a table / painting of the Virgin Mary known as Madonna del Ghisallo. A detailed technical description of the material or of the specific iconography, beyond its status as a Marian image of local veneration, is not safe in the sources provided.

The temple is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Ghisallo, en Magreglioby the lake of Como. It is a well-known sanctuary among cyclists and pilgrims, especially for its location in a passing area of mountain and road cycling in Lombardy. In the sources consulted it is not known that minor basilica; if his condition of sanctuary Marian widely recognized in popular devotion and in the world of cycling.

Sponsorship and coronation

The advocation enjoys the patronage of the cyclists: Pius XII declared it universal patron of cyclists en 1949 According to several sources, although some secondary reference places the act in 1948. There is no diocesan, municipal or national patronage in a strict sense in the sources consulted; the data that is safe and repeated is its patronage on cycling.

About canonical coronation, does not contain a documented canonical coronation in verified sources provided.

Party and devotion

A main party universally established for this advocation in the sources consulted. Devotion is strongly associated with cycling worldand the sanctuary receives pilgrimages from athletes, fans and devotees who come to entrust their routes, competitions and physical efforts.

The popular tradition linked to the place has been enriched with memories and exvotes of cycling; several journalistic and divulgative references point out that the sanctuary is an emblematic point for those who travel the area of Lake Como, especially for its relationship with classical cyclist tests and the surrounding mountain landscape. The sources provided do not contain reliable annual flow figures.

Link to the Rosary

There is no specific and documented historical relationship between Our Lady of the Grisallo and a particular brotherhood, fellowship or rosarian practice. However, like every Marian advocation, his devotion is naturally inserted into the spirituality of the Rosarywho contemplates the mysteries of Christ with Mary and accompanies in a very own way the piety of the Marian shrines.

In this case, the Rosary can be understood as the prayer that the heart provides to contemplate the Virgin as Mother and guide on the Christian path: in Grisallo, that symbolism also joins the image of the road y del persevering effort, very present in the spirituality of cycling and Marian pilgrimage.