Church of Santa Maria della Pioggia

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rain, located in Bologna on Via Riva di Reno, is a place of worship rich in history and art, offering a fascinating testimony of Marian devotion and the architectural and artistic evolution of the city. Originally known as the Oratory of San Bartolomeo di Reno, the sanctuary was founded in 1204 to house a venerated icon of the Madonna and Child. The history of the sanctuary is linked to numerous episodes of faith and miracles. One of the most significant events dates back to 1527, when a procession to the church, organized to ask for an end to a long drought, was followed by a miraculous rain. From this episode, the church acquired the name Madonna della Pioggia (Our Lady of the Rain). This event strengthened popular devotion to the icon of the Madonna, who was venerated as a protector against drought and other calamities. The current building underwent significant renovations in 1729 under the direction of architect Alfonso Torreggiani, who redefined its appearance in a Baroque style. The church facade is characterized by a portico with three round arches, supported by simple columns, and a large central clock connected to a bell on the roof. The upper part of the facade, once destined for the oratory of the Merchants’ Company, is marked by three windows. The interior of the church is a single nave, covered by a barrel vault, and features four side chapels. Among the works of art preserved inside, the Adoration of the Shepherds attributed to Agostino Carracci stands out, although it was damaged during the bombings of World War II. Carracci is also the author of the figures of the Prophets painted in the chapel panels. In the first chapel on the right is a sixteenth-century painting of the Madonna and Child on a throne, between Saints Catherine and Lucia, attributed to Lorenzo Sabatini or his student Felice Pinariccio. At the third altar on the right is a significant relic: the nurse’s robe belonging to Saint Camillo de Lellis. The main altar houses an icon of Our Lady of Providence, dating back to the thirteenth century and donated by the Bolognese Senate in 1435. This statue, placed in a square niche to the left of the altar, is one of the main objects of veneration in the sanctuary. The sanctuary has undergone numerous restorations over the centuries, particularly between 1929 and 1931, when the current interior decorations were added. After the damage suffered during World War II, the church was further restored in the post-war period to preserve its artistic and historical heritage. In addition to its religious importance, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rain is a remarkable example of how art and faith have intertwined in the history of Bologna. The church houses works by various artists, including Michele di Matteo, author of the icon of the Madonna and Child with seven angel heads on the main altar, and Agostino Carracci, whose works adorn several chapels.