The legend of San Romedio the hermit and the bear (still present at the Sanctuary)

The sanctuary of san romedio is a Christian place of worship located in the province of Trento, in the suggestive Italian Dolomites. It stands on a cliff, isolated and surrounded by nature, making it a place of peace and spirituality. The sanctuary is dedicated to San Romedio, a hermit saint who lived in the XNUMXth century and is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year.

Ex votos

Legend has it that San Romedio chose this one location to spend his days in solitude and contemplation. His dedication to the service of God he attracted wealth and prosperity to the shrine, which is why many devotees decided to thank the saint through gifts or votive offerings.

- ex voto they are objects or images that the faithful offer as thanks for a grace received. They can be of various types, from small ceramics to painted panels. Each ex voto tells a unique story and is a symbol of gratitude and faith.

Inside the sanctuary, the faithful can admire a wide collection of votive offerings that have been donated over the centuries. These objects testify to the devotion of the people who have turned to San Romedio to ask for help or protection. Each ex voto has a fascinating story to tell.

The oldest one dates back to 1591 and testifies to the thanksgiving of a member of the Inama family for the protection of the Saint during a war event. The others date from between the beginning of 1600 and 1800 and tell of accidents, illnesses, the collapse of a roof, a possessed woman by an evil spirit, a narrow escape from drowning, the prayer of a farmer to save his cattle and so many and many more.

I Franciscan friars who guard the convent, tell that often the faithful they hang autonomously their ex voto in the few spaces still free on the wall. Others deliver to the friars a artefact, so that they keep it in the right way. When the wall fills up, the friars detach some and keep them well catalogued, in the inner rooms of the sanctuary.