SACRED WATERS IN NORTH ITALY
#1 SANTA MARIA DEL FONTE IN CARAVAGGIO (BERGAMO): THE FOUNTAIN OF HOLY MARY
In the first half of the 15th century the area of Caravaggio was affected by incessant political struggles between Milan and Venice for possession of the area.
It was in that period that the young peasant Giannetta de’ Vacchi had a vision of the Madonna.
According to the young woman, Mary asked the men to make amends for their sins and asked for a chapel to be built on the site in thanksgiving.
The Madonna made a spring, and pure water appeared.
Giannetta brought her message as well as several amphorae full of water, which proved miraculous.
The spring thus quickly became a destination for pilgrimages that continue even in modern times, by sick people seeking relief.
#2 SANCTUARY OF THE FONTANELLE OF MONTICHIARI: THE “ITALIAN LOURDES”
The town in the province of Brescia is called the “Italian Lourdes” because it has attracted pilgrims from all over the world since 1966.
At the Sanctuary there, you can fill bottles with water from the sacred spring, and you can also walk in the small pool.
It all began in 1966, when Holy Mary appeared to Pierina Gilli. It seems that Mary accompanied the woman to this place, which was once called Fonte San Giorgio, and revealed to her the healthiness and sanctity of those waters.
Pilgrims can access the source via the Scala Santa, a staircase that should be climbed on their knees.
Hanging from the basin you can see the images of all the miracles that occurred thanks to the source.
#3 SANCTUARY OF THE MADONNA DELLA FONTANA: THE WATER OF FERTILITY
This sanctuary is located in Casalmaggiore, on the banks of the Po in the Cremona area.
It seems that before the year 1000, near a source that served as a thirst quencher for wayfarers, a chapel dedicated to the Madonna was built.
From that moment on, those who stopped would combine prayers with a glass of thirst-quenching water.
Consequently, the current Sanctuary was born in 1463.
The Madonna was deeply present in the collective imagination of the local populations precisely because during plagues, military incursions, and famines, she had supported the inhabitants by making the land and vineyards fertile thanks to that miraculous water.
#4 SANCTUARY OF SANTA MARIA ALLA FONTANA: SACRED WATER IN THE HEART OF MILANO CITY
In the heart of Milan there is a special sacred water stream.
Yes, the cloister of the sanctuary of Santa Maria alla Fontana, in the Porta Nuova area, hides a little secret: at the entrance to the church there is a plaque that celebrates the first stone laid in 1507.
Behind the altar there is a small staircase with five steps that leads to the source: eleven nozzles from which the miraculous water flows, also accompanied by small glasses made available to the faithful.
History tells us about two miracles connected to this place. The first person to be pardoned was the noble Charles D’Amboise in the 16th century. It seems that he was healed after drinking from this source although at the time its thaumaturgical properties were already widely known.
The second miracle instead concerns three French children who are said to have been healed after drinking from this source.
It also seems that it was following this miracle that the construction of the cloister and sanctuary was commissioned, just as it seems that the design and planning of the cloister belong to the hand of Leonardo.
#5 ACQUE MARCE: THE HEALING SULFUR STREAMS OF MILAN
Once upon a time in Milan there were three sulphurous water streams.
Between the 1920s and 1930s three fountains were built to allow the Milanese to enjoy the beneficial properties of some aquifers discovered at the beginning of the century, a time when due to the full expansion of the city new aquifers were being sought.
Some of these aquifers had a strong mell due to the presence of discrete quantities of sulphur.
These waters were obviously not usable by the aqueduct but were very healthy.
In this context, the three fountains were built, all three characterised by their octagonal shape. The only one still active is the one found in Parco Sempione, where you get off to go to the Arena.
Many people still fill bottles and small bottles there.
The second is in Piazza Sant’Angelo and is decorated with the bronze statue of Saint Francis preaching to the birds, while the third and last is in Piazza Emilia.
It is decorated with a quote from the famous poem by Saint Francis and the writing ‘pax et bonum’ (peace and fortune).
#6 GARLASCO WATER SOURCE: THE MIRACOLOUS SPRING
Nestled in the heart of Lombardy, the town of Garlasco is not only known for its rich cultural history and agricultural traditions but also for its natural water source, which has been a vital part of the community for centuries. Over time, this spring gained widespread attention, thanks to a remarkable local figure: Ivo Pignatti, and the miraculous events surrounding the water.
The origins of the Garlasco water source date back to ancient times when small agricultural communities relied on its pure, life-sustaining water. Positioned near the fertile plains of the Po River, the spring was essential for local agriculture and daily life. Throughout the Middle Ages, it was carefully protected and praised for its purity.
However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the Garlasco water gained national attention, thanks to Ivo Pignatti. In 1976, Pignatti had an extraordinary experience with the water while digging a well. As he recalled:
“In ’76, we decided to dig a well. This is a very fertile area with many springs. In fact, we found a beautiful vein, producing six hundred liters per minute. At the time, my father was suffering from shingles on his face. What can I say? One evening, he washed his face with this water, and the next morning, he was completely fine. At first, I didn’t think much of it.
But a couple of years later, a friend of mine, Bruschi, who sold cheese in the square in Vigevano, got the same condition. It was January, so he couldn’t bathe in the spring. We wrapped a wet towel around his torso, and the next morning, he called me, astonished: ‘Ivo, it’s gone!’
But it didn’t stop there. Ezio Testa, who had washed dishes here after a simple dinner, also called me, saying: ‘Ivo, I had psoriasis on my arms, and now it’s completely gone!’ At that point, I had to admit: this water has something special. It heals. And over the years, there have been many more such instances.”
Pignatti’s story, along with the experiences of those he helped, fueled the belief that Garlasco’s water possessed healing properties. Soon, people from across Italy came to visit the spring, hoping for similar cures. The water became known as “miraculous,” and it remains an enduring part of local folklore.
While scientific validation of the water’s healing qualities is still lacking, the spring continues to hold significance for the people of Garlasco. It is a symbol of hope, faith, and the town’s deep connection to its natural resources.
The history of Garlasco’s water source is not just a tale of agriculture and community but one of miraculous healing and human belief. From its ancient roots to the powerful testimonies of Ivo Pignatti and others, this water continues to flow through the history and culture of Garlasco.