Sacro Monte di Varese

Sacro Monte di Varese is a devotional hill complex near the city of Varese in Lombardy, northern Italy. It is one of the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A sequence of 14 chapels lines a roughly 2-kilometre uphill path that culminates at the sanctuary on the summit. Many chapels contain painted cycles and polychrome statuary dating mainly from the 17th century, and the route is used both by pilgrims and by visitors for its art and setting.

Construction of the complex began in the late 16th century and continued through the 17th and 18th centuries, with chapels and decoration added over decades by local patrons and religious confraternities. The site has been maintained as a place of devotion and cultural heritage and restored at various times to conserve its artworks.

The Sacro Monte sits on a wooded hill above the town of Varese, in the pre-Alpine area of Lombardy, northwestern Italy. It overlooks the surrounding hills and is accessible from Varese by road and by the historical pilgrimage path.

• UNESCO listing: The complex is part of the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003.
• Route length: The devotional route comprises 14 chapels spread along about 2 kilometres, making the walk the principal way to experience the site.

What to See #

• The 14 chapels - Via Sacra: Placed along a devotional route that links the town below to the summit sanctuary, these 14 small chapels form the core of the site and feature painted cycles and polychrome statuary largely from the 17th century. The route is roughly 2 kilometres long and is arranged as a sequence of narrative episodes from the life of the Virgin and Christ.
• Sanctuary of the Assumption: Sits at the top of the Sacro Monte devotional complex and contains the main altar and devotional space reached by the chapel route; the sanctuary building has been a focal point for pilgrimages and provides views over the surrounding hills.