The Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona, near Verona, Italy

© Volodymyr Kalyniuk/Alam

Peace on the precipice. Looking for peace on the precipice

The Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona sits on a rocky ledge almost 2,500ft above sea level, overlooking the Adige River Valley in Northern Italy, near the city of Verona. Since the Middle Ages, this spot has been a destination for pilgrimages, with breathtaking views for those with a head for heights. Over the centuries, the structure has evolved from a hermitage to a church, first inaugurated in 1530, and eventually to a sanctuary for contemplation and reflection.

In the mid-1970s, architect Guido Tisato oversaw a major renovation, which included digging out more of the mountain to add additional space. Visitors can reach the sanctuary from above by a paved path or from below, on a longer trail, known as the Path of Hope, which ends with a steep staircase zigzagging upwards. Enlightenment shouldn't come too easily, after all.