Grazie, the religious village overlooking the Mincio

Grazie, an evocative village among The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, located in the municipality of Curtatone (Mantua), owes its name to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie, built in 1399 by Francesco Gonzaga as a votive offering for the end of the plague.

Its religious origins, however, date back to 1037, when a miraculous image of the Virgin and Child was venerated in a small oratory. Consecrated in 1406, the sanctuary became a pilgrimage destination, around which the village grew with shops and hospitality for the faithful.

In 1425, the Fiera delle Grazie was established, which still enlivens the village today. In the following centuries, arcades for pilgrims were built, later demolished in modern times.

After the Napoleonic suppression of the convent (1810), the village nevertheless maintained its central role. Memorable is the gathering of the Madonnari, born in 1973 and now of international renown. In 1991, the sanctuary was honored by the visit of Pope John Paul II, consolidating its spiritual importance.

What to see in the village of Grazie

The heart of Grazie is the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Graces, built in 1399 and consecrated in 1406.

Overlooking the Mincio, in Lombard Gothic style, it features a loggia with thirteen arches and lunettes frescoed in the 17th century. The single-nave interior surprises with its theater of ex-voto statues, a unique collection reminiscent of Renaissance Wunderkammer: wooden, wax, and papier-mâché figures of the miraculously healed, nobles, soldiers, pilgrims, and curiosities such as a 15th-century stuffed crocodile.

The chapels preserve authentic masterpieces: the funerary monument of Baldassarre Castiglioni sculpted by Giulio Romano, the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian by Francesco Bonsignori, and works by Antonio Maria Viani. The main altar houses the 15th-century icon of the Madonna delle Grazie, venerated by fishermen. In the sacristy are votive tablets from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

Around the sanctuary lies the square, with fishermen’s houses, dwellings born from the arcades, and the Liberty-style Palazzo Sarto. From the river, the sanctuary appears as a harmonious vision among reeds and water, offering an image of evocative spirituality.

Events and traditions of the village

In May, Grazie hosts “Grazie a Maggio”, a month rich in initiatives that enliven the squares and lakeside. Among the highlights is the Borgo dei Bimbi, with creative workshops, games, excursions on the Mincio, and family shows, alongside concerts, markets, and guided tours of the Museum of the Madonnari.

The central event remains the Antichissima Fiera delle Grazie, held from August 12 to 16, celebrating the Feast of the Assumption with religious rites, gastronomy, music, and the famous National Gathering of the Madonnari, born in 1973: about 150 artists transform the churchyard of the Sanctuary into an open-air gallery, attracting thousands of visitors.

Unmissable are tastings of cotechino, the funfair, and boat rides among the lotus flowers of the lake. Every second Sunday of the month, the village also hosts the antiques and reuse market exhibition, curated by Arte e Ingegno.

What to see around Grazie

The surroundings of Grazie also offer attractions for those wishing to extend their visit.

Just a few kilometers away lies the city of Mantua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, thanks to its historic palaces such as the Ducal Palace, residence of the Gonzaga, as well as Palazzo Te, Palazzo della Ragione, and many others.

For nature lovers, the blooming of lotus flowers on the Mincio is symbolic: a stop in the Parco del Mincio is a must, also ideal for cycling near the lakes. Also fascinating is the Bosco Fontana Nature Reserve, with trails immersed in the plain forest. Not far away are picturesque villages such as Castellaro Lagusello, awarded the Touring Club’s Orange Flag, and Borghetto sul Mincio, famous for its mills.

So don’t forget to plan a stop in the village of Grazie—you won’t regret it!

Cover photo credits: Italia.it