Festa della Madonna di Montenero
Pilgrimage and festival at the sanctuary above Riomaggiore
About Madonna di Montenero
The sanctuary above the Cinque Terre
Above Riomaggiore, in the province of La Spezia, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montenero stands in a panoramic position overlooking the Cinque Terre. The church, with three naves, has been documented since 1335 and houses a Marian image linked to a long tradition of devotion. Here every year, on the last Sunday of July, the Festa della Madonna di Montenero, known as the Feast of the Coronation, is celebrated.
The procession and pilgrimage
The festival is preceded by a procession that winds along the ancient Via Grande, the path that climbs from Lavaccio (upper part of Riomaggiore) to the sanctuary, marked by thirteen votive shrines donated by the town's families. The route, about 3.5 kilometers through terraced vineyards and Mediterranean scrub, offers a spectacular view of the Cinque Terre coast.
Faith and panorama
The day combines liturgical celebrations with the charm of the place: the sanctuary is indeed a destination for a pilgrimage that is also an experience of nature and landscape, in the heart of the Cinque Terre National Park. An authentic event, far from the crowds of the coastal villages.
Madonna di Montenero — edition 2026
For 2026, the Festa della Madonna di Montenero is expected on the last Sunday of July, presumably July 26, with the procession on the preceding Saturday. Celebrations take place at the sanctuary above Riomaggiore, reachable on foot along the ancient Via Grande through terraced vineyards. The detailed liturgical program will be announced by the Fabbriceria and the Parish closer to the event.
Programme Madonna di Montenero 2026
Festival Days
- Saturday — Procession along Via Grande towards the sanctuary
- Sunday — Liturgical celebrations and festival at the Sanctuary of Montenero
The detailed timetable will be announced closer to the event.
Highlights Madonna di Montenero 2026
Prices Madonna di Montenero 2026
Practical information — Madonna di Montenero
How to get there
The sanctuary can be reached on foot along Via Grande from Lavaccio (upper part of Riomaggiore, near the park's visitor center): about 3.5 km, an hour's walk of medium difficulty. By train: Riomaggiore station on the Genoa-La Spezia line.
Admission
Free admission to celebrations. Hiking shoes recommended for the climb to the sanctuary.
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Where does it take place — Madonna di Montenero
Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montenero, Riomaggiore
Santuario di Montenero, 19017 Riomaggiore