Sacro Monte di Varese - A Lombardian Pilgrimage

  ItalyItalia's Travel Guide for Lombardy: Beatriz

If you visit Varese, just north of Milan, or any of the nearby areas, you should not miss a visit to the beautiful Sacro Monte.

In the heart of the Campo di Fiori Regional Park, it is one of nine pilgrimage sites in the Lombardy and Piedmont regions designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization).

The 2.5 km Via Sacra (or ‘sacred path’) climbs up the mountain, passing 14 chapels until it reaches the final Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Monte.

The construction of the winding path and its chapels began in 1604 and was completed in 1698, under the eye of the Capuchin friar Giambattista Aguggiari. The chapels are an example of the Borromean era and were designed by the Varese architect Giuseppe Bernascone. Each one was decorated with terracotta figures and painted murals created by some of the best artists of the time, including Prestinari, Nuvolone, Ghisolfi, Guttuso and Ghiandone.

The chapels are based around the Rosary. They are divided in three groups of five, and each one has a representation of one of its mysteries. It is worth noting that inside the Nativity chapel there is a modern painting by the famous Italian painter Renato Guttuso. The last chapel (Coronation of Mary) is found inside the Sanctuary of Santa Maria which was built in the 1400s in a Rococo style.

Any visitor walking along the path will be equally enchanted by the panoramic views of the lakes, the valley, and the Art Noveau style villas found along this ancient path. At the end of the walk, the mountain village of Santa Maria del Monte welcomes the tired pilgrim with open arms. The narrow streets lined with colourful houses bring a nice end to the journey and there are also several good restaurants with panoramic terraces that overlook the valley.

There is a funicular railway to take you back, or you can always choose to walk down again.