The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Bondo or Sanctuary of the Lady of Pity , about 700 meters on hight , it’s in the locality of Bondo in Vestreno , in Valvarrone.
It is situated in a isolated area into a wood , near the Wanderer’s Trail : thanks to that peculiarity it offers a beathtaking panoramic view on Lake Como and its mountains. The location’s choice wasn’t accidental : in fact , the Blessed Virgin was in charge of protecting the residents , because they used to go to the mountains where they often met bandits and wild animals.
The building is a typical exemple of mountain sanctuary of Baroque age , even though the measures done in the beginning of the 1900 are noticeable. The current construction come from 1677 , even if during the centuries the church was equipped with others interior fixtures and fittings : the altar , the cantine and the board , made with Varenna black marble , are datated 1700 more or less , like the porch and the façade ; while the tower bell was built at the beginning of 1800.
Photos by Paola Massari
