In my opinion, this is one of the more overhyped and overrated sights. *Waits to be struck down by lightning.* Still, it’s cool to see and one of those things that is worth a quick visit if you are visiting or living in the area. Here’s a guide on how to plan a visit to the Sanctuary Of Madonna Della Corona in Verona.
How To Visit The Sanctuary Of Madonna Della Corona In Verona
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FAQ for visiting the sanctuary of Madonna Della Corona
Where is it located?
It is located in Verona, just over an hour from Ederle.
Is there a cost?
No, but you may need coins for parking depending on where you park and to use the shuttle if you choose to.
What skill level is required?
Beginner.
How long does it take?
It depends on the trail you choose, but an hour and a half total for the easy trail.
Is it kid-friendly?
Yes, and stroller friendly.
Is it dog friendly?
Yes, but not inside the church itself.
Is there a dress code?
Yes, respectful attire is required if you go into the church. You don’t have to be in your Sunday best, basically, just cover your shoulders to knees and don’t wear beach clothes.
What hours is it open?
8am – 6pm from November to March.
7am – 7:30pm from April to October.
What should you bring with you?
- Water bottle
- Camera (since we went to Garda afterward, I used my GoPro with this compact selfie stick & tripod
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What is the Madonna Della Corona?
Sitting between heaven and Earth, it’s a church carved into the side of a mountain, Mt Baldo.
The church was built in 1530, but prior to that, it was a site for prayer that was only accessible by a dangerous, rocky path. Though it has been updated and modernized over the years, it still has historic charm and the path to get there is much less dangerous.
The uniqueness of the location makes it quite photogenic. If you want to get nice photos of it in summer, try to go lunchtime or later as one side of it is under a shadow in the mornings. For winter, do the opposite and plan a morning visit if you can.
Where to park
Bring a little patience for parking because it is a popular spot and parking can fill up quickly.
You can park in one of the lots near the start of the trail in Spiazzi – they fill up fast, or along the side of the road and walk to the start.
Parking lot on the right and street parking on the street on the left
How to hike from Spiazzi
It’s really easy to find your way and walk down to the church because it’s well signed and simple to follow.
The trail itself is more of a road, so it’s very wide and the terrain is easy to hike. I wouldn’t call it a hike really, it’s more of a walk than anything.
I had seen photos of it before visiting myself, and the photos make it look a lot more epic than what it actually is and it’s a safe, easy walk to see it.
Close to the start, you pass by a paddock with Alpacas and you can leave a donation to take a photo of them. Otherwise, just keep following the trail down to the church.
Along the way, you will see religious sculptures that have plaques with descriptions in English.
Start of the trail
Views of the terrain
Shuttle bus
If you prefer not to walk, you can also take the shuttle bus for €1.80 one way or €3 return. It runs frequently throughout the day.
More information on the timetables can be found here.
Easy to follow the signs to the Sanctuary Of Madonna Della Corona
Longer trail option
Another option is to hike from Brentino Belluno and climb the 1500 steps up to the church in the trail called The Path Of The Pilgrim or ‘Sentiero Del Pellegrino.’
This scenic trail will take around 3-4 hours total and is less kid-friendly – it really depends on your kids.
For this hike, you can use ‘Sentiero Del Pellegrino’ in Google Maps to get there and look for parking in the town. You’ll probably need to park and walk a couple of minutes to the start of the trail.
I wish I’d done this hike to make the overall outing more interesting.
One of the sculptures along the trail
The church itself
If you’d like to visit for Mass, I’ve added a photo below that has the schedule. Otherwise, you can enter to see the inside of the church, provided you are dressed appropriately of course.
There is no charge but they accept donations.
Mass hours
Other things to do nearby
This is a great outing to pair with a swim at Lago di Garda. Sirmione and Malcesine are great options for chilling out and swimming, but you can’t really go wrong just driving along the lake and stopping when you find a spot that looks good to you.
If you prefer pools, another option is to combine it with a visit to the Verona Aquardens which is a huge pool complex complete with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms, and swim-up bars, and a kid’s playroom.
For more information:
More travel guides for Italy
- A Big List Of Things To Do In Vicenza And Surrounding Areas
- Palazzino Fraccaroli – Exploring The Spooky Castle Of Spirits
- Cinque Terre Itinerary And How To Plan A Weekend Visit
- Maximize Your Visit With This Guided Tour Of The Colosseum In Rome
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Hi Katie. I enjoy reading your blog. Everything is well written and descriptive. You are also on point with many of your tips. Thank you!
Hi Katie – Very interesting info and well written, honest stuff.!!
We will be at Lake Garda and the Dolomites in May and l have had mixed feelings about taking the time for Madonna Della Corona.?
Most photos are obviously drone footage, but is your last image from the path.?
Actually none of those are drone photos. Most are my iPhone, and a few are GoPro.