Sacro Monte Varese and surroudings

“Sacro Monte Varese: a journey between art and nature.” Diy Tourist Column

It is called Viale delle Cappelle. We are the gates of the Sacro Monte, where starts a journey that Diy Tourist couldn’t miss. It can be truly be considered a “vertical museum”, which is recognized as an authentic world heritage site (UNESCO Properties List), thanks to the artistic genius of Bernascone and Morazzone.

Various paintings and sculptures at each of the fourteem small chapels dedicated to the mysteries of the rosary, one of the most beautiful “Stations of The Cross” in the Alps.

The tourists and the pilgrims who venture along this journey, grow tired, refreshing themselves at the fountains adorning the pathway, but above all they can admire a unique and artistic frame and a breathtaking views, on the lakes and the green valleys of Varese. At the bottom of the Hill stands the historic borgo Santa Maria del Monte with the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna, a Baroque triumph of its kind that you can’t forget.

Those who love panoramic views, then, cannot do without a trip on the funicular railways. Historically the funiculars in Varese were three, made in the early ‘ 900, to allow easy and quick connections with the three fundamental key tourist sites in Varese: Sacro Monte, Colle Campigli and Monte Tre Croci in Campo dei Fiori.

Today only the funicular Sacro Monte – opened in may 1906 and then closed in 1953 – is recovered by the municipality of Varese for tourist purposes. Open periodically, allows you to take a step back in time thanks to the peculiarity of this means of transport.

Finally, in the same area, the culture also reigns in two distinctive museums, Pogliaghi and Baroffio.

The Casa Museo Pogliaghi is open Saturday, Sunday and all holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with continued; in the summer months, however, offers a rich calendar of extraordinary openings. The Museum, at the foot of Sacro Monte, can be visited directly in conjunction with the visit of the chapels and Village.

The Baroffio Museum houses works dating from various historical periods and since 2001 a contemporary sacred art room of monographs mariane consisting of paintings, sculptures and graphic works by artists such as Guttuso, Bodini, Matisse and Sironi.

Sacromonte and Around photo album

Cover photo: Varese Polis