On the eastern beach of Caorle, the pilgrimage church Madonna dell’Angelo rises above the sea. For centuries, this site has been a focal point of religious and maritime tradition. The structural safety of the adjacent pier has now been restored. Modern engineering technology, using the FIS EM Plus injection system, ensures that the pier structure will withstand the demands of future generations.

The Madonna dell’Angelo pilgrimage church is one of Caorle’s (Veneto, Italy) most important landmarks and oldest sacred buildings. As early as the 6th or 7th century, a small wooden church dedicated to Archangel Michael is said to have stood on this spot. The present church, with its distinctive bell and lighthouse tower, was built in 1751.

According to legend, local fishermen in the 15th century saw a statue of the Virgin Mary and Child floating on a marble base in the sea. Only children were able to lift and carry the statue. They brought it to the nearby Church of the Angels – the origin of the Marian devotion that continues to this day. The Madonna is revered as the protector of fishermen and sailors. For this reason, the church has long been a destination for pilgrims and believers. Every five years, a maritime procession takes place in which the statue of the Madonna is carried across the sea on boats – one of Caorle’s most significant religious events. Directly beside the church stretches the historic pier on the eastern beach, once used by fishermen to moor their boats for local fishing and trade. Today, the pier serves both as an access point for small tourist vessels and as a promenade with a view of the sea. Over the years, the structure has undergone several maintenances and consolidation works to withstand the harsh marine environment.

Firmly anchored in a maritime environment
To strengthen and secure the pier’s structural elements, fischer’s FIS EM Plus injection system was applied using the FIS DM S Pro manual dispenser. The epoxy mortar provides high load-bearing capacity in both cracked and non-cracked concrete. Even under continuous exposure to humidity and saltwater, it ensures lasting safety and durability – with an ETA-rated service life of 100 years. “In a marine environment, where moisture and salt constantly attack the structures, it’s essential to use a product that maintains its load-bearing capacity even under challenging conditions, such as in wet or water-filled drill holes and in the presence of seawater,” explains Mario Allasia, Technical Sales Engineer at fischer Italia.

A solution for the Madonna dell’Angelo pier
The challenge was to permanently and safely secure the six mooring points of the pier for tourist boats. Using FIS EM Plus, fischer was able to meet the structural requirements and the expectations of the project’s design engineers from Studio Ing. Damiani (Caorle), achieving a long-lasting and reliable solution. The chemical fixing system ensures excellent resistance – crucial for infrastructure that must meet both historical and modern functional demands.

“In addition to the right product solutions, we provided our customers with comprehensive services,” says Mario Allasia. “From planning to execution, our local consultants supported the project with static calculations, product selection, and on-site pull-out tests to determine the optimal technical solutions.”

From legend to the present day
Today, the Madonna dell’Angelo church and its pier form a unique ensemble where history, faith and maritime infrastructure meet. Where fishermen once discovered the Madonna, modern fastening systems from fischer now safeguard this historic site – ensuring that visitors will continue to experience Caorle’s unique cultural landmark for generations to come.