Santuario di Oropa, Italy

This was taken this evening as we arrived at the Opora Sanctuary, the most important and largest sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the Alps. Very atmospheric as it was foggy and lightly snowing as we arrived.

We left work at lunchtime and drove through the St Bernard tunnel to Aosta then Biella. Fabulous place to stay in a converted monastery. The walls in the corridor are full of historic votive paintings, drawings and photos. See extras. Many of them show car accidents, work accidents and illnesses that people recovered from as well as many crutches that people arrived with but no longer needed when they left again.The Sanctuary is spread over a large area and we’re excited about exploring it tomorrow.