In the heart of the Val Nure, a short walk from the centre of Bettola, stands the Chapel of the Apparition of the Madonna della Quercia, a place deeply rooted in the religious tradition and popular devotion of the Piacenza area.
According to tradition, in 1496 the Virgin Mary appeared to a young shepherdess amongst the branches of an oak tree. This miraculous event sparked great popular devotion and attracted pilgrims from across the valley and the surrounding areas.
Following the apparition, a church and a Franciscan monastery were built, which for centuries served as an important religious centre in the Val Nure.
To commemorate the site of the miraculous event, the present-day Chapel of the Apparition was built in 1954, situated in the hamlet of Colle dei Frati, nestled in the greenery and calm of the Bettola countryside.
Inside the chapel is a striking mosaic by Luciano Ricchetti depicting the scene of the Virgin’s apparition to the young shepherdess beneath the oak tree.
Even today, this place remains a destination for devotion, pilgrimage and exploration of the Val Nure area.
New facilities for pilgrims and visitors
From April 2026, the Chapel of the Apparition will reopen to tourists with new spaces dedicated to welcoming visitors and showcasing the history of the site.
The following facilities are available:
• Pilgrims’ Welcome Centre, where visitors can obtain historical, spiritual and local information.
• Screening room showing videos recounting the story of the apparition of 1496
• Reconstruction of the shepherdess’s house from 1496
• Sale of books, publications and religious items dedicated to Our Lady of the Oak
• Pilgrim’s Card, offering discounts and special deals at various shops in Bettola and the Nure Valley