Il Sacro Monte di Varese
Parte del sito Unesco seriale “I Sacri Monti del Piemonte e della Lombardia” che comprende sette complessi devozionali piemontesi e due lombardi, il Sacro Monte di Varese è un complesso devozionale eretto sul monte di Velate fra 1604 e 1698, quale opera di evangelizzazione popolare tesa a celebrare i dogmi della chiesa cattolica contro il dilagare della riforma protestante.
L’itinerario per i pellegrini si compone di una Via Sacra lunga circa 2 chilometri con 14 cappelle che illustrano e invitano alla meditazione sui misteri del Santo Rosario e si conclude nel Santuario di Santa Maria del Monte che funge da quindicesima cappella. Archi trionfali e fontane scandiscono il percorso, splendido esempio di integrazione e armonia fra arte sacra, architettura e paesaggio naturale circostante.
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Altre informazioni
Il Sacro Monte di Varese fa parte del sito seriale “I Sacri Monti del Piemonte e della Lombardia“, che comprende sette complessi devozionali piemontesi e due lombardi eretti nelle Alpi occidentali fra la fine del XV e il XVII secolo per illustrare avvenimenti e principi fondamentali della fede cattolica.
Il Sacro Monte di Varese fa parte del sito seriale “I Sacri Monti del Piemonte e della Lombardia“, che comprende sette complessi devozionali piemontesi e due lombardi eretti nelle Alpi occidentali fra la fine del XV e il XVII secolo per illustrare avvenimenti e principi fondamentali della fede cattolica.
Recensioni
Vincenzo Prestera
19:29 10 Sep 24
The Sacro Monte di Varese is one of the nine sacri monti in the Italian regions of Lombardy and Piedmont which were inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 2003. It has an altitude of 807 metres above sea level. The route is quite steep but with a bit of good spirit is suitable both for adults and elderly. Once arrived at the top, there are several restaurants and bar. I do recommend a visit at this shrine.
Jenny Lim
05:51 28 Jul 24
Worth the visit.
Allocate at least 2 to 3 hours if you are planning to walk up (instead of taking the funicular). It was fun to peek inside each chapel that's filled with artwork portraying scène from the bible, starting with the birth of Jesus in the manger. If you are starting from the top, it would be the artwork of the 12 apostles.
Piotr Przestrzelski
21:46 26 Jul 24
Rosary chapels, each has a different architecture and a mystery of Rosary scene. On top, there's a beautiful sanctuary.
Ema Rotunjanu
08:52 01 Jun 24
Amazing place to walk and admire the sites, several monasteries and the forest.
Milena “Mil” Korczak
20:17 05 May 24
Super nice place, reachable also for older people with a cable car, and then a nice walk down not too exhausting. The views are amazing and the monastery very unique. Lot of restaurants around. We had the pleasure of the live orchestra concert.
Rafaele Fiorella
18:00 14 Oct 23
Winding mountain road from Varese, beautiful. Once at the top, park on the street (paid) and set yourself loose to explore this historical UNESCO city. Be generous with alloted time,you will need a few hours to go around. Lot of up and down hill walking, bring comfortable shoes.
Gina Edwards
19:13 01 Sep 23
We had the most amazing time visiting Sacro Monte. We were so fortunate to meet a guide who acted as a tour guide for us, his name was Vittorio Valenta. We asked if he had a map and he told us all about the churches and took us to a few. We would have viewed the chapels and enjoyed the experience. But Vittorio made the whole experience come alive with his knowledge and enthusiasm. We have a 12, 10 and 8 year old who hung on every word he said. We can’t thank him enough. We were hoping to say thank you on our way out but he was busy doing exactly the same for another family. Thank you Vittorio it was a highlight of our visit. Gina and Joe (Cardiff, Wales).
Suzanne Warwick
18:54 19 Aug 23
So worth the walk up hills. Very interesting and surprising. Be care if you want to go in Santa Maria del monte church as no short shorts or vest style tops. There is a gift shop up there too. The village is interesting and pretty
RH
17:51 16 Aug 23
Great place to visit if you are around! The "Santuario di Santa Maria del Monte" church on top is a must see! The lack of parking spaces makes it a bit hard to visit. Also if you don't speak Italian it's quite a puzzle to figure out things. All in all; a great experience!
Simple Pixel
07:29 14 Aug 23
Totally worth the trip. Only that we got off the bus earlier, and instead of going down hill as expected, we had to climb the whole section to the top. Not hard, 40 min, but in the middle of a heat wave was a bit of a bad move on our part. So go to the top and make your way down. I attached pictures with the bus schedule both ways. Payment is inside the bus, cash or card.
Andrea Larcan
14:54 22 Jun 23
Great walk in the Varese neighbourhood with 14 chapels up to the 'Sacro Monte di Varese'.
It is a nice walk, that you can decide to take from the bottom to the top as a pilgrim for atonement. If you are less fit, you can decide to start the visit from the top and visit the chapels in the opposite order (if you came by car, a bus would bring you back to the top).
It is not easy to see the interior of each chapel, but you will see more clearly on your mobile phone screen, if you put your device on the window glass of each chapel. Definitely a beautiful walk and a moment to think immersed in a nice environment.
Afran Nafiz
16:06 20 Jun 23
Amazing place to visit. If you wanna spend some time with nature you can go there.
Trepetnaya Lanb
10:00 25 May 23
Very beautiful panoramic view, the amaizing 14 architecture capellas related to Christian religion, with sculpture installations inside, you can even press the button and turn on the lights inside the installation!) There are also the restaurants on the top, so you can give yourself a reward for climbing on the hill)
Wanda Borter
18:29 06 May 23
Magical place. Follow a cobblestone path along many chapels, in each a depiction of Biblical stories though statues and fresco's. Not all the lights work in the chapels, which makes some art hard to see properly, but it's worth the walk uphill and pressing your head against the glass - especially if you think of the fact that all of these chapels were made in the 1600s. On the top of the hill, you are greeted by the lovely and storylike village of Santa Maria del Monte. There are a few free parking places at the foot of the Sacro Monte di Varese, but parking is reasonably scarce. The walk or "hike light" uphill is not too steep and very doable for anyone with okay condition, but might be challenging for people who have trouble walking up more than two flights of steps. Definitely worth the visit!
Santa Maria del Monte is also a great place to start a hike through the national park from, if you want more of a challenge.
Jared Theisinger
07:58 25 Oct 22
Beautiful place for quiet reflection, and a peaceful walk.
Amazing view of the surrounding areas too.
Would make sure that you are surefooted, and probably not suited for a pram unless it’s a Thule buggy or similar as the cobblestones are quite large.
There is also limited parking facilities, so would suggest trying to visit at non peak times too.
Stf Scw
20:26 09 Sep 22
It is a pity that the view insight the chapel’s is not better. The way is pictoresc, but would not recommend to climb the 2km with a baby.
Kris W
11:19 11 Aug 22
Beautiful and unique place on the exposed mountain ridge, not only a Catholic sanctuary. Unfortunately the amount of false or outdated information makes the place difficult to get to if you do not have a car. Even the main info office in Varese is not up to date with how to get there by bus or bus/funicular. Owners of the houses on the slopes of the mountain are co fused too. I cannot share the information because the options in public transportation change often. The best advice is to check the latest info on line (from last month or week).
Andréa Schmitt
10:12 10 Apr 22
Great walk uphill, I little tiring but you can definitely do it at your own pace, stopping at each point to rest, enjoy the view, take some photos and drink some water. But GO TO THE TOP. The small village at the top is the cutest with all the alleys and stone walls. Plus the view is just wonderful. I wasn't sooo lucky because there's a bit of fog, so I couldn't see as far, but it was definitely worth it. Might go back to visit the museums and try to get a clearer sky. Plus, the restaurants have really reasonable price (haven't tried any as I took my own lunch).
I'd say it takes at least 3 ro 4 hours to truly enjoy all that Sacro Monte offers, whitout the visit on the museums.
Nóra Téglásy
22:22 31 Mar 22
Beautiful place, nice walk, great view. It's a pity that we didn't really find a coffee or restaurant nearby the parking point (First Chapel).
I was happy that the church was open.
The statues inside the chapels are not easy to watch and there are no English texts.
Cecilia Caroline
19:20 20 Mar 22
Absolutely beautiful. Love that each chapel told a different part of the story
Kevin Bolton
14:29 30 Dec 21
Sacro Monte or Sacred Mountain as we Brits would say is a mile long walk up a steep mountain set with 13 chapels at even intervals. Each Chapel has a biblical scene of the events surrounding the birth, death & rising of Jesus. At the top of the mountain are a choice of restaurants with great food with amazing views. The Italian locals love this walk - good for tourists too.
Nastassia Astapenka
10:42 14 Dec 21
Amazing place, you can find there several chapels that tell the story of Jesus and as well you can enjoy fresh air and breathtaking views on Varese
Ewald Van Der Helm
12:46 23 Nov 21
Great but hidden unesco site that you should visit when in the neighbourhood. It concerns an unpaved road up the mountain which can only be walked. Along this secret way 12 chapels have been build. Each differently and inside being decorated with historical carved statues. It is a nice walk up and very calm and relaxing environment. Parking is a bit problematic but we finally managed to find a place.
Anikó Oláh
07:08 02 Nov 21
Great experience! Marvellous Panorama to the city, 2.2 km slow walking with contemplation, or meditation running, hiking.
Idil Gnosti
09:26 06 Oct 21
Beautiful walk up the hill, it is a bit challenging unless you are dressed comfortably but the view, story and sights are gorgeous! I love Varese
d0rian7
20:38 12 Sep 21
I can only rate this place 5 stars. Yes, it is a small museum but you can definitely see some amazing artefacts. The entrance fee is low and it is definitely worth it.
We visited the museum through an Alfa Varese event that included a guided tour.
The main item of the museum is of course the mighty Besanosaurus, a dinosaur that lived in the waters of the Thriassic sea, but there are many well maintained fossils of other types of ichtyosaurs. Don't expect to see any T-Rex or other other 'famous' dinosaurs. Definitely worth a visit.
5 stars, highly recommended!
Indrajit Paul
07:48 01 Jun 21
Great place to spend afternoon with kids.. Explore the chapels, nature and great photos.
Ross Heaney
13:42 21 Sep 20
Definitely worth a visit if passing by Varese! Take the C bus from the centre to the start of the Sacro Monte trail (you can buy a ticket on the bus for €1.40 - valid for 90mins) where you can begin the walk past the 14 chapels, alternatively you can take a smaller mini bus (on the same ticket) right up to the town. Walking up is steep but not too difficult. The views are very nice and great for photos. There are some restaurants and cafes but in low season most are closed. There are public toilets available.
irina nikki
17:05 02 Feb 20
very beautiful place! must visit! if the weather is fine, you will see beautiful panorama almost 360 degrees around. way is long and difficult - so take your time and comfortable shoes and water! it took me almost 2 hours on foot from the city center to the top of mountain - I did not use neither bus no funicular. but if you want - use it. Capellas are interesting, very realistic. Enjoy!
Misha Coleman
20:28 20 Jan 20
The views were stunning if you get a chance this is absolutely worth seeing. Be warned there is a bit of a hike
Modesto Allen Gapultos
22:48 12 Dec 19
Its a perfect place for pilgrims, quiet and clean roads good for motoriders and bikers, a place to visit frequently
Aedes Sia
14:23 07 Dec 19
Quite an unexpected and tedious climb. Very scenic view and peaceful destination.
arnold maartens
14:35 11 Oct 19
Really nice place. In the 19th century it was a touristic place. Now it is not crowded at all. Which is good! Lot of climbing
Ino Haasbroek
22:51 08 May 19
Beautiful to visit. Quiet during the time we visited in May. Take some coins for the parking though.
Mihu Macovei
20:31 30 Apr 19
I really recommend stopping at the base of the hill/mountain and walk all the way to the top. The alleys are really wonderful and the panoramic views breathtaking. At the top little treasures are waiting for you. Serenity
Vilia Vilia
20:58 12 Mar 19
Peaceful and beautiful place. There is a bar on the top, with amazing view to the mountains and the lake. The path is really easy.
Antonio Sanna
22:29 03 Jan 17
Via Crucis monumentale che sovrasta la città di Varese con le sue 14 cappelle e il borgo medievale sulla cima. Dall'alto si vedono i laghi che circondano la città.
Stefan Bencina
00:20 29 Dec 16
Una bella lunga passeggiata intervallata da numerose cappelle che all'interno rappresentano alcune scene della vita di Cristo. Arrivati in cima lo sforzo viene ricompensato con una vista panoramica mozzafiato
amelia pantano
09:48 15 Dec 16
Borgo caratteristico e ben tenuto, la passeggiata nel dedalo di vie è una scoperta continua di angoli splendidi; luogo che dona tanta serenità;vista sulla città e sui monti da non perdere
Silver Kron
08:13 11 Dec 16
Rilassante.
Vista spettacolare su Varese e sui monti.
Abbiamo avuto la fortuna di scoprire la prima mostra dei presepi.
