The Sacro Monte of Varese is one of the nine Sacri Monti in the Italian regions of Lombardy and Piedmont. It was inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 2003. I was born near it, I visited all of the time but the last one I really enjoyed the walk.
GENERAL INFO
Open: 24hours (best time to visit it’s on 16/17h pm).
Admission fees: Free
Parking: You can leave the car close to the first chapel (and it’s free) or parking at the top. The second option is free just of working days, otherways: Friday, Saturday and Sunday you pay, 5€ for all day.
Difficulty: Normal, everybody can do it.
Where to eat: there are some restaurant and bar, open all day long. On the weekend I suggest you book a table.
SACRO MONTE OF VARESE
The Sacro Monte of Varese is located a few kilometers from the city and nestled in the regional park “Campo dei Fiori” which literally translates to “Field of Flowers”. It has an altitude of 807 metres above sea-level. The rise is 2 kilometers along on a cobblestone path, and every chapel represents one of the Mysteries of Jesus Christ’s life.
The construction of the Sacro Monte di Varese was much faster than that of other Sacred Mountains, and thirteen of the fourteen planned chapels were completed by 1623. In 1698 the works were completed in their present form, including the painted terracotta statues and the frescoes that they have the task of illusively enlarging the scene of the various Mysteries.
THE OTHERS ONE
- The Sacro Monte of New Jerusalem of Varallo Sesia (Vercelli)
- The Sacro Monte of Santa Maria Assunta, Alessandria
- The Sacro Monte of San Francesco, Orta San Giulio
- The Sacro Monte of the Blessed Virgin, Oropa (Biella)
- The Sacro Monte of the Blessed Virgin of Succour, (Como)
- The Sacro Monte of the Holy Trinity, Ghiffa, province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola
- The Sacro Monte and Calvary, Domodossola
- The Sacro Monte of Belmonte, Turin
