Colle di San Lorenzo

Here the shepherds and their flocks camped during the transhumance, waiting to ferry across the underlying Mincio River. This custom is still evidenced by the ancient fair of Cavalcaselle, which takes place here every year in November. From its summit, King Carlo Alberto observed the capture of Peschiera during the wars of independence. On the hill, we find the churches of San Lorenzo and Santa Maria degli Angeli, whose construction dates back at least to 1400, although an even older origin cannot be ruled out. From 1450 and for a century, the complex of San Lorenzo housed the convent of the Reverend Servite Fathers. Inside Santa Maria degli Angeli, there is a fresco, probably dated 1434: Mary, revealing her breast, nurses the Child. Popular tradition recounts that a priest, scandalized, covered the Madonna's breast with black paint, whereupon the Baby Jesus, horrified, detached his lips. Another priest remedied the situation: he scraped off the dark coating, and the Child, satisfied, reattached himself.