The foundation of the sanctuary is very ancient, possibly originating from a small chapel dating back to the 5th-7th centuries, dedicated to the Madonna or later to Saint Michael the Archangel. The first document mentioning the sanctuary is dated May 18, 1175.
In 1253, the site, already fortified and armed for the protection of pilgrims, became a village owned by the Chapter of Cividale. During this period, the construction and covering of the cloister took place.
In the mid-14th century, the church underwent modifications. In the early 15th century, the sanctuary was adapted to accommodate the increasing flow of pilgrims. In 1469, a lightning strike destroyed part of the church, and the earthquakes in 1511 and 1513 caused additional significant damage, which was repaired by around 1535. Renovation and expansion works continued from the early 16th century. During World War II, German artillery bombs hit the church, sacristy, and bell tower. The capacity of the original church was doubled with the construction of the lower church.
The most interesting works include the venerated stone statue of the Madonna with Child (created before 1479 by a sculptor from the artistic sphere of Salzburg), the Banner of the Confraternity of the Most Holy painted in 1774 by Ippolito Venier, and above all the many ex-votos, precious testimonies of Friulian religiosity and art. Among them, very precious, the Municipality of Gemona voto from 1575, made of silver, depicting an ideal view of the town.
