Madonna della Costa Sanctuary

A little history

The origins are uncertain. A tradition ties the sanctuary to 1361, when the Doria castle passed to the Republic of Genoa, and to the “festa delle catene”, when people from Sanremo climbed up dragging chains to mark their liberation from the Doria. Historians disagree on that date: the first document naming a chapel of Madonna della Costa is from 1474.

The present building was begun in 1630 on the site of an older church. The facade and main dome date from the second half of the 18th century. Devotion centres on the panel of the Madonna and Child above the high altar; attributions differ, some pointing to Barnaba da Modena, others to Nicolò da Voltri.

What to see

The plan is a Latin cross. On the facade, an aedicule of the Assumption is flanked by marble statues of Saints Siro and Romolo, patrons of Sanremo, with small domed turrets on either side.

Inside, look for:

• the wooden statues, some attributed to Anton Maria Maragliano, the 18th-century Genoese sculptor, and the wooden crucifix of 1723;
• the stucco and frescoes of the apse and vault by Giacomo Antonio Boni (1727);
• paintings by Bartolomeo Guidobono, Domenico Fiasella and Giulio Cesare Procaccini.

Before going in, stop on the approach path, lined with cypresses and olive trees and paved with black and white pebbles in geometric patterns.

How to get there

The best way is on foot through the Pigna. From the centre you enter the medieval quarter at the bottom and climb alleys and steps to the Regina Elena Gardens at the top; from there it is a little further to the square. The climb is steep: wear comfortable shoes and carry water in summer. From the station or the seafront, allow about an hour including stops.

There is also a road access along the side of the hill: check your navigation for parking, as spaces are few. I found no official information on access restrictions on feast days.

Practical tips

• It is a place of worship: cover shoulders and knees, and keep quiet during services.
• Late afternoon is best for the view, with the light on the gulf.
• Combine it with a walk through the Pigna, the Russian Church and the Villa Ormond Gardens for a day in Sanremo.
• Nearby, also see Bussana Vecchia and Perinaldo.