Sanctuary of Plout
Edited by:
Massimo Martini
Introduction
The Sanctuary of Plout, located in the municipality of Saint-Marcel in the Aosta Valley, is a place of Marian devotion venerated since the 14th century. It stands in a quiet and evocative location, immersed in local history and traditions. Its origin is linked to a small shrine carved into the rock that housed the statue of Notre Dame des Ermites, venerated by the inhabitants of the area who went there to pray, especially during bad weather that prevented them from reaching the parish church.
Description
In the 17th century, the fame of the place grew thanks to the miraculous story of a bricklayer, seriously injured, who obtained a cure by invoking the Virgin Mary and decided to build an oratory to worthily guard the statue. The number of worshippers gradually increased, and in 1715 a larger sacred building was built to accommodate the pilgrims. As a sign of profound veneration, the title of Our Lady was changed from "des Ermites" to "de Tout Pouvoir", meaning "of all power".
The present sanctuary, completed between 1850 and 1853, has a Greek-cross plan with an apsidal presbytery. The neoclassical façade is embellished with a pronaos with four columns and decorated with frescoes depicting the Madonna and Child, Saint Bridget and Saint Peter Fourier. In the side niches are statues of St. Grato and St. Marcellus. Inside, the high altar holds a wooden statue of the Virgin de Tout Pouvoir, donated in 1744 by Giacinto Bertram, prior of the Collegiate Church of Sant'Orso in Aosta.
The interior walls are covered with ex-votos, testimony to the faith and gratitude of the devout, telling stories of graces received over the centuries. Of particular interest is the portico in front, with fifteen frescoed niches depicting the Mysteries of the Rosary, created in 1841 by the painter Lorenzo Toso.
The sanctuary of Plout is also known as the 'sanctuary a répit', a special place where stillborn children were brought in the hope that they would live to receive baptism. This aspect increases its symbolic and historical importance.
The main celebrations take place on 26 July, in honour of St Anne, and 14 September, for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, occasions when the sanctuary is open to the faithful and visitors. During the summer, the sanctuary is sometimes accessible for visits and functions. It is easily accessible by car from Saint-Marcel, following the road to Les Druges.
This sacred place is not only an important spiritual landmark but also a living testimony of art, tradition and faith, offering those who visit it an experience of reflection and beauty.