Sacro Monte di Varese

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The flagellation of Christ, life-size figures inside a chapel

The Sacro Monte di Varese belongs to the Sacri Monti group . It lies on a steep ridge that rises above Lake Varese to the north. In 1571 the Battle of Lepanto took place. The victorious outcome was not least attributed to the intercessions of the Blessed Mother . That is why the secrets of the Rosary are the main theme of the sacred mountain of Varese.

The Sacro Monte di Varese was founded on the initiative of the Capuchin Giovanni Battista Aguggiari from Monza in 1604 over a medieval cult site, which was then the seat of a nunnery and a pilgrimage church dedicated to the Virgin Mary .

Chapels

A wide, spacious cobblestone street, lined with walls, was specially built. In many turns it leads up from chapel to chapel to the summit at 883 m above sea level. M. Three triumphant gates lead the pilgrims to the mysteries. You can take a look into the chapels through lattice doors and windows. Inside, life-size figures depict the life of Jesus Christ and the saints .

Many important artists from Lombardy created the sculptures. All the chapels were designed by the same architect: Giuseppe Bernascone, called “Il Mancino”. He created the chapels in the Palladio style . This means that the same elements can be found in every chapel: a magnificent entrance flanked by columns, a vestibule, a gable triangle based on the Greek model, a central room, a staircase and a dome. All of this varies so that none of the fourteen chapels are alike. In addition, three fountains on Heiligen Strasse provide fresh water for pilgrims and tourists. On July 3, 2003, UNESCO declared the Sacro Monte di Varese a World Heritage Site.

  • View of one of the chapels

  • Pilgrimage routes

  • Palladio Chapel Omodeo

  • View from the top of Varese

  • Triumphal arches guide the pilgrims

  • The second chapel

  • Chapel and pilgrimage route

Web links

Commons : Sacro Monte (Varese)  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 45 ° 51 ′ 37.3 "  N , 8 ° 47 ′ 35.6"  E