The Nostra Signora di Gonare church is located on the mountain of the same name a short distance from the town centres of Orani and Sarule. Both the mountain and sanctuary owe their name to the Giudice di Torres Gonario II (1110-1182).
Indeed, according to tradition, it was precisely the Guidice Gonario who had the sanctuary erected in honour of a vow he made during a storm on his return from a crusade in the Holy Land.
Early recorded accounts of the church date back to the XIV century. However, the building’s current configuration hints at a later date, leading us to believe that the current church was built on top of the older sanctuary, and then expanded during the XVII century.
The building is entirely built in exposed stone and is supported by massive side buttresses which make it appear to look like a fortified building rather than a place of worship. It has a single nave, articulated into aisles with pointed arch, overlooked by a series of side chapels.
The sanctuary is still the destination of numerous pilgrimages and can be reached along a steep rocky path.
