The Accidental Pilgrimage – Tirano, Italy

We crossed the boarder and already we’re feeling Italian.

Our hotel was directly opposite the train station, which was incredibly handy…

That’s the train station = right there.

It was such a beautiful day, we dropped our bags and headed for the old town.

Well look at that… all roads do lead to Roma!

Warning: door spam:

And a couple of special additions…

Back to the buildings…

This is the River Adda – she looks brisk!

I love wandering an old town…

And this is the view from our bathroom…

The next day, we walked the other way on a small accidental pilgrimage to the Basilica della Madonna. This church was built over the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to Mario Omodei in 1504. Apparently the town was riddled with the plague and Mary popped down and appeared in front of Mario and said, if you build a church here on this spot, I’ll stop the plague. It was said to have worked a treat, even though people still died from the plague after the church was finished. Mary could have just said, “Maybe wash your hands, isolate and wear a mask”

Nevertheless, a church was built and the Pope named it a Basilica. We didn’t realise, but people come from all over the world to see it.

The 17th century ornate organ was incredible… It was a shame we didn’t get to hear it being played when we even accidentally attended a service… well, part of one.