Didn’t Margherita Molar’s desperate cry change this landscape forever? The Chiesa della Madonna del Pilone stands here a testament to a mother’s faith. It marks a miracle on the banks of the Po River.
This is the Chiesa della Madonna del Pilone. It is a Catholic church in Turin. Its story began with a votive pillar. The pillar depicted the Virgin Annunciate. It stood near the Po River since 1587.
On April 29 1644 something extraordinary happened here. Margherita Molar’s daughter fell into the river. The water was powerful. The mother cried out to the Virgin of the pillar. Miraculously the girl was saved.
Locals saw this as divine intervention. Queen Regent Christine Marie of France insisted on building a sanctuary. It would honor the miracle. In 1645 the first version of this church opened. It was built around the sacred pillar. The facade was in the style of Baroque architecture.
Over time the Chiesa della Madonna del Pilone evolved. In 1779 the building was expanded. A bell tower was added in 1787. This happened to repair damage from Napoleonic troops. The baptistery and choir came later. They were added in 1807 and 1817 respectively.
The river Po flooded in November 1994. The Chiesa della Madonna del Pilone and the surrounding square were seriously damaged. Major renovations followed.
The devotion to this site grew. It was linked to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Popes Clement XII and Benedict XIV granted this link in 1741. It was a spiritual bond. It offered special benefits to those who worshipped here. The link was renewed in 2019.
Inside the Chiesa della Madonna del Pilone you can see a single nave. There are two side chapels. The cupola has an octagonal drum. The main altar holds the image of the Annunciation from the 1500s.
Look closely to the cupola. The frescoes are by Bartolomeo Guidobono. The stuccoes are by Giovanni Andrea Casella. These are original decorations.
The story of Margherita Molar is captured in art. An ex-voto fresco sits above the church’s entrance. It is a reminder of the miracle that birthed this church.
The altar holds the Pilone dell’Annunciazione. It is what gave the Chiesa della Madonna del Pilone its name. The painting on the altar has been restored. This happened in 1925 and the 1960s.
So as you stand here remember Margherita Molar. Remember the miracle. The Chiesa della Madonna del Pilone remains a beacon. It shines with faith. It also shines with hope.