In 1490, a farmer told his wife that he’d had a miraculous encounter while grazing his flock: the Madonna appeared to him and instructed him to build a chapel. The simple wooden structure that he constructed evolved over the years into an ornate complex and basilica, now known as the Shrine of Nostra Signora della Guardia. The name, Guardia or “guardian,” references the area’s history: The basilica is built atop an old lookout point that was used to observe ships and armies below. On a clear day, you can see…
