The shrine of Our Lady of Oropa is the most popular pilgrimage site in Piedmont, Italy. It houses an ancient and miraculous statue of Madonna and Child, made of cedar wood, standing about three feet tall. It was first found by St. Eusebius (d. 370), who dug it up under ruins in Jerusalem, and later enshrined it in his hermitage chapel at Oropa.

In 1599, people of Biella, in gratitude to Mary for saving them from the plague, built a large church surrounding the saint’s ancient chapel. In 1856, the Holy See documented over 500 miraculous cures obtained through the intercession of Our Lady of Oropa.

Among the many miraculous images that the Blessed Virgin has generously given to the world, the statue at Oropa has a fascinating and rare detail. It has been closely and carefully observed that when dust collects on the holy image, not one particle falls on the Faces of Mary and Baby Jesus.

In addition to the many miracles and loving, prestigious devotion, Our Lady of Oropa has yet another reason for holding a special place in history. Inscribed on a tablet within the shrine is the account that Marconi, while visiting the shrine, "In the summer of 1895, while contemplating the Biellese Alps from the heights of Oropa, bethought him that man might find new energy in space, and the means to a new method of communication."

This led Marconi to invent the radio! He sent his first radio message to the Vatican from the same elevation where he was inspired with the concept… where Our Lady’s inspiration first came to him "from the heights of Oropa".