The church of the Madonna Pellegrina stands on a rise overlooking San Giorgio, a hamlet of Rovereto. The first place of worship, dedicated to Saint George, probably dates from the second half of the thirteenth century. Between 1600 and 1623 custodians, probably hermits, are recorded on the site; in 1624 work was done on the roof and furnishings, and in 1766 bad weather damaged the building. In the nineteenth century it was partly restructured and given a bell tower, which it had lacked before; the solemn consecration dates from 1868.
What to see
The church faces east, according to tradition. The façade has two slopes, with the small bell tower with four openings at the centre, high up. The main portal is of stone, architraved, with a triangular pediment; at the sides are two rectangular windows with gratings and, above, a splayed rose window. Dwelling houses lean against it on every side.
The interior has a single nave of one bay; from the chancel arch you pass to the slightly raised presbytery.
Visiting
In 2012, when the hamlet's new church was built, the seat of the parish moved there and the old church was dedicated to the Madonna Pellegrina. Openings and services should be checked with the parish of San Giorgio.
Our editors' tip
At the start of the twentieth century the church had fallen into neglect, to the point of being suspended from worship and reopened in 1908. After the Second World War it passed to the congregation of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, and it was a parish from 1969 to 2012.
