The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Boden stands in a dominant position above the town of Ornavasso and the whole plain of the River Toce, surrounded by chestnut woods. In Walser dialect the term “boden” indicates a plateau, so the name of the sanctuary refers to lie of the land where it was built.
Legend has it that the origin of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Boden is linked to a miraculous episode that took place long ago in 1528. A young shepherdess, Maria Della Torre, after taking her sheep to pasture, fell asleep stretched out on the meadow; when she woke up, she could not find her flock and because of the dark fell into a precipice. She desperately appealed to the Madonna for help, and her prayers were answered: a very strong light, coming from the little chapel of Boden, allowed her to reach safety. News of miracle soon spread and in 1530 work began on the construction of the church, which was subsequently enlarged and enhanced with decorations.
The piety of the population (presently there are just under 1,200 votive offerings) and their devotion to the Madonna del Boden increasingly grew, turning the sanctuary into one of the most visited places of worship in the whole Ossola Valley even today.
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