Sant'Anna Sanctuary

Sant'Anna Sanctuary (St. Anne): A Baroque Gem in the Telo Valley

The Sanctuary of Sant'Anna (St. Anne) is located just a few miles outside of Argegno, along the road leading toward the mountain village of Schignano. Originally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Gelpio—as seen in the painting above the high altar—the church later became a sanctuary for Sant'Anna, whose statue is housed in a side chapel. Visitors can reach the site from Argegno via a scenic walking path through the Telo Valley, lined with ancient votive shrines.

The frescoes and stuccoes of Sant'Anna Sanctuary

The sanctuary was built upon the foundations of an older chapel, likely commissioned by the local community as a sacred vow during a plague outbreak. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the building was expanded and embellished. It features exquisite 17th-century frescoes by the Campionese master Isidoro Bianchi (1602–1662) and intricate stuccos from the Intelvese school, attributed to Giovanni Battista Barberini. Together, these decorations represent a marvelous example of regional Baroque art.

Argegno and the veneration of Saint Anne

Architecturally, the sanctuary consists of a single nave with lateral chapels, preceded by a charming portico with elegant granite columns. In 1969, the parish underwent significant restoration, including the conservation of its stuccos by Milanese sculptor Domenico Agostini and the installation of a traditional Malenco stone roof. For centuries, the people of Argegno have maintained a deep devotion to Sant'Anna (St. Anne), gathering at the sanctuary every July 26th to celebrate her feast day in prayer and community spirit.