Today we went on a family pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Oropa.  It is a huge Catholic complex that draws thousands of pilgrims from all over the world every year, especially from Africa, South America and India.  Possibly because it is home to the "Black Madonna"?  Not very PC but very accurate.  I read that the statue of the Madonna was carved in the 13th century, brought from the Holy Lands in the 4th century, and brought over the mountains in the 1800's.  Who knows?  Whatever the story, it is a beautiful statue with it's own alter in the oldest chapel in the complex.  She looks like she's made of onyx but evidently is made of highly polished, painted pine.  She is dressed in a bright blue cloak and dangles gorgeous jewels the size of my thumb from her hands.  The complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  (http://www.santuariodioropa.it)  What was particularly interesting were all of the groups from the southern continents who were playing music, dancing, singing and praying together.  It was a regular Tower of Babel with all of the languages spoken.  Some pilgrims were housed on the premises and they were cooking and eating their native foods and many were dressed in traditional costumes.  It was a little like Pope-Disneyland as there are shops and restaurants, a fun-park and a botanical garden.  But what do I know?  I guess parents need something to convince the kids to travel half way around the world to see a church.  xxoo me

The entrance to the main piazza

Looking up at the largest Chapel with the mountains in clouds behind

Grace watching dancers below

Women in Polish dress dancing to South American musicians

A group from Africa dancing