This year too, there will be a large turnout of the faithful in Arenzano for the feast of the Infant Jesus of Prague, traditionally held on the first Sunday of September (this year, on the 4th).
Devotion to the Infant Jesus reached Arenzano in 1900, thanks to a small painting displayed by the Carmelites in their little church. The small oil painting depicted a statue of the Infant Jesus that had been donated in 1628 by Princess Polissena Lobkowitz to the Carmelites of Prague.
This simple act of piety gave rise to an extraordinary movement of devotion, accompanied by graces and miracles. In 1902, the small painting was replaced by a statue similar to the one in Prague, donated to the religious community in Arenzano by a noblewoman from Savona, depicting the Infant Jesus in royal attire and with the insignia of a sovereign, in the act of blessing.
The growing influx of devotees prompted the construction of the shrine - the first in the world dedicated to the Infant Jesus - begun in 1904 and inaugurated in 1908. The Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague, which was expanded and enriched in the 1960s, is one of the most beautiful shrines in Liguria: a valuable artistic site as well as a religious and spiritual one.
It stands on a hill (50 m above sea level) in one of the area's finest panoramic locations, with a broad view of the Gulf of Genoa.
The shrine is reached by climbing a grand staircase, dominated by a column bearing a statue of the Infant Jesus. The marble colors, ranging from cream white to Maremma red, the stained-glass windows, the fine frescoes, and the majolica sculptures by Angelo Biancini covering the interior walls create a unique setting of great artistic value.Β
The shrine's pride and joy is its permanent artistic nativity scene, the most famous ceramic nativity scene in Liguria, masterfully created in 1969-1970 by master ceramicist Eliseo Salino of Albissola. Located in an artificial grotto, it houses several sculptural groups that depict, in a simple and popular style, the most beautiful moments associated with Christmas and the birth of Jesus.
The shrine also has a beautiful botanical garden, where visitors can admire a distinctive and extensive collection of succulent plants.Β
To learn about the Shrine
Shrine-Basilica
Infant Jesus of Prague
Piazzale S. Bambino 1
16011 Arenzano (GE)
Tel.: +39 010 912 57 85Β
+39 010 912 73 86
email: santuario@gesubambino.org
How to get there the Shrine
Hospitality contacts
For welcoming groups and pilgrims
Tel. +39 366 4563285
email: accoglienza@gesubambino.org
To learn more about devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague
