In 1510 Duke Alfonso I d’Este decided to modernize the eastern section of the Walls of Ferrara.
The old defensive structures are demolished, including the Lower Gate with a fresco of the
Madonna whose face was saved, a fact believed to be miraculous.
Over the years, devotion to the image of the Virgin grew so much that in 1526 the
construction of the Church of the Visitation of Our Lady of the Lower Gate, known as the Madonnina, was begun.
The 15th-century fresco, retouched several times, is currently kept in the chancel of
church behind the High Altar.
In 1570 a frightful earthquake devastated Ferrara, seriously damaging most
of its buildings: the small church was also involved, suffering the collapse of its facade, which was rebuilt
by architect Alberto Schiatti.
The subject of many vicissitudes over the centuries, it was closed until 2022, when the
restoration was completed.
