Venue: Ritrovo Riva Sebastiano Scaramuzza (Grado)
Website: https://faiprenotazioni.fondoambiente.it/evento/barbana-un-santuario-tra-storia-fede-e-natura-34150/
The initiative “Barbana: a sanctuary between history, faith and nature” is organised by FAI - Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano (Italian Environment Fund) and offers a guided tour to discover the island and its sanctuary. The event will take place on Friday 20 June 2025, departing by boat from Riva Scaramuzza in Grado at 3 p.m. and returning at 5.30 p.m.
The visit lasts approximately two hours and is led by FAI volunteers and expert local guides. Places are limited to a maximum of 30 participants; booking is required via the FAI platform. The participation fee is £20 for non-FAI members and £15 for members; it is possible to join or renew your membership on site.
A few minutes' boat ride from Grado, immersed in the tranquillity of the lagoon, lies the island of Barbana, one of the most significant places for the spirituality and history of the area. Of ancient origin, the Marian sanctuary of Barbana was founded in 582 AD when, according to tradition, an image of the Virgin Mary was found among the branches of an elm tree on the shore after a violent storm. Patriarch Elia, as a sign of devotion, ordered the construction of a church on the site of the discovery.
Over the centuries, the island has been inhabited by various religious orders, including the Barbanites, Benedictines and Franciscans, who have enriched its architectural and spiritual heritage. The current sacred building, constructed between 1911 and 1924 in neo-Romanesque style, houses numerous works of art: Venetian altars, frescoes, stained glass windows and a 15th-century wooden statue of the Madonna. Of particular interest are the ex-votos kept inside the sanctuary, expressions of the popular devotion of fishermen and families from Grado.
In addition to its religious value, Barbana also offers an important naturalistic experience. The island, which covers about three hectares, is characterised by lush vegetation consisting of cypresses, maritime pines, magnolias and hackberries. The silence, interrupted only by the sounds of nature and the arrival of boats, makes this place particularly evocative.
For those wishing to extend their stay on the island, there is a restaurant, “Al Pellegrino”, located next to the sanctuary.