Already in 1571 we find two “rural chapels” mentioned: San Pietro and Santa Maria. After the signing of the peace of 7 October 1659 in Ivrea, the lands of the hill of Macugnano gradually repopulated and, finding only the fresco of the Madonna as the only rest of the church, they decided to rebuild another one a little further downstream near the ‘settlement. About sixty years later, given the inadequacy of this structure to welcome the pilgrims, it was decided to build a new larger and decent church. Between 1738 and 1746 the construction project was entrusted to the architect Costanzo Michela from Agliè who decided to incorporate the existing structure in the new building.
The interior of the church is a Latin cross with two side altars and two sacristies. The marble high altar is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Snow and in the choir is placed the ancient fresco of the Madonna enclosed in a wooden frame. On the right altar there is an icon signed by Joseph Chiantor – 1815 representing the Trinity. The one on the left has an icon depicting the Madonna degli Angeli. Under the canteen the relics of Santa Vittoria are still placed. In a niche, on the right of the main altar, there is a wooden statue of the Madonna delle Grazie which is carried in procession each year.
Externally the façade is underlined by a balustrade and a particular crowning of the drum. The sanctuary is also distinguished by its two bell towers and the other lantern, this characteristic has given it the name “tre ciochè”.
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