The shrine is mentioned, first and foremost, in the papal decrees of Lucio III (1183) and Clemente III (1188), then also in a papal bull of Onorio III (1223).

The oldest building consists of a tower leaning up against the rock cliff and a portion of an arch that leads into a small cave. The newer building consists of a church and the hermit's dwelling. The church develops in a single longitudinal body topped by a barrel vault. On the other side of the entrance, we can find a fresco and the main altar. The fresco represents the Madonna and Jesus and remind us of the Botticelli's "Madonna with Child". The shrine might have been named after the existing pagan sanctuary devoted to the goddess Bona. According to a local tale, instead, the shrine is believed to be named after a miracoulous rescue of a man who, swamped by a flood, was helped by the Madonna, sitting on a rock (good rock: Pietrabona). The shrine is still a destination for pilgrims, usually on the Tuesday after Easter Sunday. 

L.T. 04-02-2021