The church and convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Zagarolo were built from the transformation of a shrine with a miraculous image of the Madonna and a small hermitage.
The place had become a pilgrimage destination and the church and convent were commissioned by Cardinal Giovanni Colonna, bishop of Sabina, in 1200.
It was assigned to the Franciscan friars and it is said that Saint Francis passed through this convent.
The church and the sanctuary underwent profound modernization during the eighteenth century.
In its construction, Roman remains were used, such as the two columns of the portico.
Inside the church there are precious works such as a triptych painted on wood from 1200 placed on the high altar with a Madonna and Child in the center and images of San Lorenzo and San Giovanni Battista on the sides.
Another important work is an 18th century canvas of a Madonna between San'Agostino and San Giovanni Evangelista made by the Roman painter Gerolamo Pesci.
Some members of the Colonna family are buried in the crypt of the church.
The feast of the Madonna delle Grazie is celebrated on August 15th.
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