Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie

About

It is located south-west of Arco on the road to Varone. The building was commissioned by Francesco d’Arco in 1478. The Franciscan convent, which still exists, was completed in 1482, and the church in 1492. Of note are the bronze entrance door of the church, and the brickworks on the façade, works by the sculptor monk Fra’ Silvio Bottes; Also his is the statue of San Francesco on the church square. In the cloister, which is placed on a lower floor, are the tombstones of Susanna Collalto, Nicolo of Arco’s mother, and of Barbara Martinengo, Andrea of Arco’s wife, who probably were once buried in the ancient church, which had been sponsored by their father-in-law.The spaces on the inside of the convent are beautiful, for their structure and proportion: there are several courtyards and rooms, among which a beautiful dining-hall where so now and then cultural and religious events are organized.You can visit the church during the day and masses are regularly celebrated by the friars.