Santuario della Madonna dei Bagni

Ever since the seventeenth century, devotion to the Madonna dei Bagni has been expressed here in a form of art that is very characteristic of the culture of the area. Today, the shrine preserves a collection of about 700 votive molds, all in colorful ceramics on its walls, covering a period of 350 years.

Subjects of all kinds are depicted, and these gifts are given as offerings also known as “ex-votos” for actions or material things: vowed to God (or promised to a Saint for their intercession with God) in return for a hoped-for miracle, offered in thanksgiving for an already-answered prayer, or given in thanksgiving for blessings not even vowed.

Each tile tells a story, some handed down from memory: the goring of a bull, a riding accident, a flood of the Tiber, an exploded bomb, a disease, a car overturned; representing centuries of lives lived.

Artworks offered ex voto depict the miracles for which the votive is being offered, and many bear the initials “PGR” (per grazia ricevuta, for grace received), “VFGA” which stand for the Latin Votum Fecit Gratiam Accepit (Vow made, graces received), or simply “E.V.” for Ex Voto (for a vow fulfilled).

The tradition of gift tiles remained popular over the centuries, especially after the First World War. Sadly, in 1980 a devastating theft of votive offerings took place here, and the shrine was closed for seven years. Local residents tell us that almost half the tiles have been found, thanks to the efforts of local police.

The devotion to this practice continues even today. Excellent reproductions have been made of the missing tiles, so that the shrine has lost none of its original character.

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