In search of the Holy Shroud of Torino, Epilogue, The Bicerin at the Consolata

During the 5th Century AD, the Bishop Maximus had a Church erected on this spot,  dedicated to the Apostle Saint Andrew, with a chapel dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, with an icon, which over time was renown for its many miracles. 

 

The neoclassical façade was

added in the mid 19th century.

 

The Romanesque bell tower (picture below) of the Consolata dates back to the year 929 AD and  was attached to the corner torrents of the walls of the Roman fort which would eventually become the City of Torino. That year the Marquis Adalberto ordered a monastery to be built beside the church.

 

 

The Benedictine Monks ran the monastery of the Consolata for centuries.

The Santuario della Consolata

is an important Marian Shrine

and minor Basilica.

This chapel contains a relic of the Blessed Virgin

Mary which has been the object of great

veneration here in Torino. During the 12th

Century, a blind pilgrim came here, saying that

 the Blessed Mother had told him to visit this

shrine in his dreams. When the pilgrim arrived

here, he was recovered his sight.

A closer look at the chapel of

Our Blessed Mother.

 

The Blessed Sacrament is

exposed at the main altar in

a monstrance under the image

of the Blessed Mother with the

Infant Jesus.

The main altar is decorated in Rococo style and

features Salomonic pillars and a rich combination

of red and white marble.

Organ up on the balcony at the

back of the Church.

This side altar displays the

martyrdom of Saint Andrew.

Statue of the Consolata.

The Consolata was built in the

style of the ancient Roman

Basilicas.

On the other side, we can see

the bell tower in the background.

 

"Much prayer makes a pilgrim hungry" is the old

saying. So after our visit to the Consolata, we

crossed the street and got into line to wait for a

table at one of the oldest coffee houses in the

world, the Bicerin.

 

We waited some 20 minutes for our table. 

(There are only 12 small tables, and space for

only about 30 people.) Meanwhile Estela

went into the store of the Bicherin to buy

some cookies. As you can see on the sign,

the specialty of the Bicerin is chocolate.

Estela and I enjoying our "Bicherin".

The Bicerin is an espresso

coffee with chocolate, and

whipped cream on top.

A Bicerin is so beautiful to look

at that you don't even want to

drink it.

This diploma certifies that the Bicerin has been

in business since 1763.

When you come to Torino, don't

miss the Holy Shroud! And don't

forget to try a Bicerin before you

leave.