Leaving the center of Gallio, towards the village of Stoccareddo, right where the valley floor narrows into a strait that, widening again, continues towards Valstagna, between two high rock walls, it is possible to catch a glimpse, almost pressed against the mountain, of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Buso, or Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Caravaggio.
The little church is located in a narrow valley, in a place rich in charm and mystery that invites reflection. The modest temple, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, appears like a humble flower amidst a natural frame abundant with greenery, yet wild: an invitation to pause and elevate the spirit.
Here, in 1829, on a spring day, an hermit belonging to the Third Order of St. Francis arrived: Brother Battista of Casera d'Agordo.
The latter, returning from one of his pilgrimages, was caught in a storm one evening and was stranded in the Buso area, sheltered by some plants. The morning after the difficult night spent, he decided that there, in that dreadful gorge, a bridge needed to be built to connect the two banks. Moreover, a small church was to be constructed, a stopping point for travelers and, above all, a place of worship for the Virgin Mary. Finally, it was necessary to build a tiny hermitage, where he himself would spend the rest of his days as a hermit.
What seemed the naive dream of a man rich only in faith and devotion to Mary, within four years became reality: the bridge, the little church, and the hermitage were built, and subsequently a bell tower was also erected.
During the Great War, even the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Buso was not spared. It would take until the late 1920s to see it rebuilt in its current form.
