The Sanctuary is an important place of spirituality in Romagna and, together with the Rocca Manfrediana and the Clock Tower, defines the skyline of Brisighella.
The present church was built in the 18th century to accommodate the large number of pilgrims arriving in Brisighella. According to tradition, in 1626 a votive terracotta plaque depicting the Virgin and Child stood at the entrance to the village and attracted many devotees. This led the local community to first build a small oratory and later the current Sanctuary on the summit of Monte Cozzolo, which from that time took the name Monticino.
The church was built by local craftsmen between 1756 and 1773 in classical forms, in keeping with the neoclassical taste that characterised Faenza in that period. The apse preserves 19th-century frescoes by the Faenza-born painter Savino Lega. In 1926, on the third centenary of the cult, the Sanctuary was enhanced with a new façade, designed by the architect Edoardo Collamarini.
Since 1662, every September Brisighella celebrates the Madonna and her devotional plaque with one of the oldest popular festivals in Romagna, the Antica Sagra del Monticino, an event that combines devotion to the Virgin with colourful local folklore, featuring good food, traditional music and performances.
Today the church can only be visited from the outside and can be reached via a short walk from the centre of the village, starting from Via degli Asini. The serene and intimate atmosphere of the Sanctuary makes the climb worthwhile, to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace in the shade of the tall cypress trees.
Behind the Sanctuary stands the Museo Geologico del Monticino, for those wishing to follow a longer itinerary that combines spirituality, art and nature.
