Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie (Arcidosso)

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The Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie was constructed in Arcidosso, Italy as a votive offering to commemorate the end of the devastating Black Death of 1348. Strategically situated across the main street from the ancient castle of Arcidosso, this sacred site faces the historic Sant'Andrea church. Initially, the chapel occupied a relatively small area roughly equivalent to the current presbytery space. However, it wasn't until the 15th century that renovations began, transforming the sanctuary into a stunning Renaissance building teeming with an impressive collection of artworks. As one of the most revered shrines in the Amiata region, the Madonna delle Grazie boasts five ornate altars crafted from plaster, marble, and stone. The walls are adorned with numerous oil-on-canvas paintings depicting sacred scenes created by renowned artists from the Sienese Renaissance school. Notable examples include a majestic Virgin Mary in Glory surrounded by Saints Sebastiano and Rocco by Ventura Salimbeni, as well as a poignant Madonna with Child dating back to the early 1400s, originally housed within the Palazzo del Capitano di Arcidosso. According to Carlo Prezzolini's "Le chiese di Arcidosso e la Pieve di Lamula," published in 2017, this sacred site has become an integral part of Arcidosso's cultural heritage. The documentation provides a comprehensive account of the area's historical churches and their significance.