Basilica Santuario Madonna della Guardia

In 1893, Luigi Orione opened his first college for young boys in San Bernardino. Speaking to them about the future work he was already contemplating, pointing to the area he said, “A large shrine will rise here...”. During the First World War, he made a vow to build a large shrine to Our Lady, if the soldiers of the district returned safe and sound. The vow was made on 29 August 1918; the war ended on 4 November. On 23 October 1926, Cardinal Carlo Perosi of Tortona blessed the first stone of the new shrine, designed by the architect of the Holy See Spirito Maria Chiappetta. In April 1928, the work began: on 28 August 1931, on the 15th centenary of the Council of Ephesus and of the Mater Dei, the new artistic temple was inaugurated by Bishop Simon Pietro Grassi and the series of what the faithful of Orione would call “Marian triumphs” began, connecting in his mind to the two ancient shrines, in a tradition of faith and love for Our Lady that had lasted for centuries. To this day, it is an important place of pilgrimage to honour Saint Luigi Orione, who rests inside a glass case exposed to the faithful. For those who are not drawn here for religious reasons, the climb to the bell tower, which leads to the terrace at the foot of the 14m high statue of the Virgin and Child, with an unparalleled view of the historical centre, is a good reason to visit.