The Black Virgin of Oropa

The 1,32 m high wooden statue represents the Virgin of the mystery related to the presentation of the Child in the Temple and its Purification. In fact the Child brings the dove and the Virgin extends his right arm with her palm that enclose the coins of the offer.(The precious gold pommel topped by a cross studded with diamonds is a votive object that has been added afterwards).

According to tradition, the statue was brought by Saint Eusebius from the Palestine in the fourth century A.D. while escaping from the fury of the Aryan persecution.

Saint Eusebius, who was strongly willing to spread the devotion to Mary, apparently hid the statue among the rocks where now arise the Church of the Roc, built during the first half of the eighteenth century by the inhabitants of Fontainemore, a place in the Aosta Valley still strongly linked to the Sanctuary by the traditional procession that takes place every five years among the mountains that separate the two valleys.

The blue cloak, the dress and the golden air that encircle her face with the sweet and austere smile.

A strange fact happens, it has been noted that on the Virgin and her Children faces never comes to rest the dust. The fact has been publically attested by experts evidences including those of Agostino Penna.

In addition to the above, the statue, despite the centuries, doesn’t show any sign of deterioration. The foot, even though continuously touched by the pilgrims, doesn’t show signs of weakening.

In 1621 were made two attempts ,in two different periods, to move the Sacred Statue to a closer place to Biella, at first near Cossila, and secondly near Pralungo.

Unfortunately both attempts failed, it happened that not far from the Sanctuary the Statue became so heavy that carriers couldn’t go ahead so they were forced to go back and , when they arrived in the original place the Statue suddenly became lighter in weight.

Detail of weaving