Vicenza has always been a city rich in religious and spiritual traditions. The devotion to the Virgin Mary, which makes Vicenza a Marian city par excellence, has probably characterized the spiritual tradition of Vicenza since the 13th century, when the mendicant orders, particularly sensitive to the Marian Apostolate, helped to spread a cult so intimately connected to the mystery of the incarnation of Christ. With the establishment of the Berico Sanctuary at Monte Berico and the subsequent arrival of the Virgin Mary Servants, deep devotion was created and steadily consolidated amongst millions of believers.

The majestic Sanctuary of the “Madonna” of “Monte Berico”, declared Saint Patroness of Vicenza, dominates the entire city from above, in such a way that it seems it wants to represent and delimit its spiritual and physical borders. Emblem of religiosity of a city and its entire province, the sanctuary was built on the top of a hill that towers above the south-west part and it’s now a final destination for thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. The Basilica is situated on the large Victory square , inaugurated by Mussolini on 23 September 1924 in order to commemorate the Italian victory during the Great War.
From the square it is possible to admire one of the most suggestive views of the entire city.
There is also, on the square, a semicircular balustrade that extends for 360 metres, and on the windowsill of this ample balcony ,the panoramic quadrant of the Veneto Prealps from Lessini mountains to the Lagoon, from the Pasubio mountain to the river Piave was traced.


The structure is in reality composed of two churches fused together: the original small church was built in 1428 and a century later followed the larger structure, that was demolished in 1687 and completely restructured at the end of the 1600s, under the direction of Giacomo Borella, although many critics think that he only elaborated a plan of Andrea Palladio. It is easily accessible on foot, by car or public transport. The itinerary begins from the bottom of the hill and a long succession of arches accompanies the pilgrim walking uphill. As an alternative, it is possible to reach the Sanctuary going up the popular “scalette” a picturesque stairway composed of 192 steps.

The stairway and the arches: the beginning of the climb starts from the Triumphal Arch, erected in 1595 in honour of the Virgin Mary by Giacomo Bragadin, captain of Vicenza, representative of the “Serenissima” Republic. The stairway ends on level ground, half way from the top of the hill. From it you can enjoy another magnificent panorama of the city below. The arches connect the city with the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary. They were realized by Francesco Muttoni, as of March 1746: they extend for 700 metres with 150 arches, divided into groups of 10, each group with a small platform in the shape of a little chapel, symbolizing the 15 Mysteries and the Ave Maria of the Rosary.


Amongst the various activities of the Sanctuary we point out the Theological College "Saint Mary of Monte Berico an Advanced Institute of Religious Sciences. It confers the Teachings of the Church and the Diploma in Religious Sciences as a legal qualification for teaching in state and private schools. The Course comprises theological, philosophical, biblical, historical and legal disciplines, orientated towards catechism, pastoral and didactic purposes with particular emphasis on the Marian pastoral spirituality. There also exists a publication, the monthly review of Monte Berico.