Oratorio della Madonna della Neve

There are places in Mugello that, despite preserving remarkable environmental and historical characteristics, do not belong to the common knowledge of the most famous centers in the area. Among these, the area of Gugena, located at 503 meters above sea level on the left bank of the Godenzo river, represents a small, still untouched oasis. Surrounded by the intense greenery of the first foothills of the Alpe di San Godenzo, this location offers views of pristine beauty and a deep sense of peace. The main point of reference in Gugena is undoubtedly the small Oratory of Madonna della Neve, a place that combines history, legend, and religious tradition, standing on a hill in front of the superb Parish Church of San Babila in San Bavello. The oratory owes its name to the devotion to Madonna della Neve, linked to the tradition that tells of the miraculous summer snowfall on August 5, 352 in Rome, an event that indicated the place for the construction of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. According to local popular legend, in ancient times, right where the chapel now stands, an image of the Madonna of extraordinary beauty and artistic value was found. Transported to the nearby Parish Church of San Babila in San Bavello, it happened that, at dawn the following day, the entire area was covered by a miraculous and unexpected snowfall, precisely on August 5. At the same time, the image of the Madonna mysteriously disappeared from the parish church and was found, after long searches, in the same spot where it had been originally discovered. Interpreting the event as a divine sign, the inhabitants decided to build an oratory to safeguard and venerate the image. The historical origins of the Oratory are uncertain, and there are no documents attesting to its initial construction. However, some furnishings dating back to the 1600s suggest the presence of the place of worship already at that time. In the archives of the parish of San Babila, there is mention of a reconstruction of the chapel in the 18th century by the Del Campana family, notable figures in the area. The oratory is first mentioned in documents published in 1747, with a brief reference by G.M. Brocchi in his Description of the Mugello province. The Fiesole episcopal archive holds only two documents from June 1777 that provide information about the chapel. In 1852, the building was in serious disrepair. It was thanks to the generosity of Antonio Masini, a local landowner without heirs, that the restoration could be financed. The Del Campana family also contributed to the project. The reconstruction was entrusted to the mason Giovanni Pugi di Corella and took place during the summer of 1853. In January 1974, the original image of Madonna della Neve, a 17th-century painting restored in 1880, was stolen by unknown individuals taking advantage of the solitude of the place. The canvas depicted the Virgin with the Child, accompanied by Archangel Michael and a saint, probably Saint Francis. Two years later, a new fresco was commissioned to the Florentine painter Giulio Mugnai and placed behind the altar. The current painting depicts the Virgin with the Child, against a background of architectural motifs reminiscent of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. The Oratory of Madonna della Neve has been a spiritual and social reference point for the inhabitants of Gugena and the neighboring hamlets for centuries. The feast of Madonna della Neve, celebrated every year on August 5, is a deeply felt occasion that brings the community together in processions, solemn masses, and moments of conviviality. In the past, it also attracted pilgrims from more distant locations, such as Dicomano and San Godenzo.

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