Shrine of Cuney
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Access
The sanctuary can be reached via the following access routes:
- from Lignan by path (T2,1029mD+,2h50')
- from Porliod car park by footpaths and (T2,752mD+,2h20')
- from Porliod car park, by footpaths , and s.n. (T3,752mD+,2h30')
Introduction
The Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Nevi al Cuney, located in the municipality of Nus in Valle d'Aosta, is the highest sanctuary in Europe, at an altitude of 2,656 metres, at the foot of the Becca del Merlo. Its location high in the mountains, immersed in a wild and evocative landscape, makes it a unique place deeply rooted in local devotion and tradition. The name itself, 'Cuney', derives from the Valdostan expression ou cu de la nèi, meaning 'at the foot of the snow', a direct reference to its geographical location.
Description
The origins of the sanctuary are shrouded in legend. It is said that some shepherds found a statue of the Virgin Mary in the pastures of Cuney and brought it to Lignan, but the statue miraculously returned to its place of origin, signalling the wish for a place of worship to be built there. The first chapel was built in 1656 and consecrated in 1659. The current building, rebuilt in 1861, has a rectangular floor plan with a decorated cross vault and a semicircular apse. Above the altar is a painting by the Valdostan painter Curta, dating back to 1825, depicting the Madonna and Child with Saints Hilary, Bernard, Bartholomew and Eusebius. Also of great historical-artistic interest is the statue of the Virgin and Child, datable between the 16th and 17th centuries, possibly contemporary with the first sanctuary.
The interior of the sanctuary is embellished with numerous ex-votos, painted tablets donated by the faithful as a sign of thanksgiving for graces received. The oldest date back more than two centuries and testify to the devotion of people not only local but also from Canavese and other regions. Recently restored, these ex-votos are displayed in a dedicated space inside the sanctuary.
One of the most heartfelt celebrations is the feast of the Madonna delle Nevi, held every year on 5 August. During this day, the faithful reach the sanctuary on foot or by taking the exceptionally open inter-farm roads. The religious services include two masses, followed by a procession to the nearby spring, symbolising the origin of the waters of the Saint-Barthélemy valley. Here, the parish priest immerses the cross three times in the stream, a rite that recalls the resurrection of Christ. The day ends with a community lunch and a traditional auction of products offered by the faithful, the proceeds of which are donated to the sanctuary.
The Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Nevi at Cuney is not only a place of worship but also a meeting point with the nature and history of the Aosta Valley. Reached via panoramic paths winding through the mountains, it offers visitors a unique experience, interweaving spirituality, tradition and the unspoilt beauty of the high peaks.
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