• Art & Culture
    • Religious Tourism

The Fourteen Chapels of the Sacro Monte di Varese

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT
  1. Experiences in Lombardy
  2. Lombardy's Unesco Sites
  3. The Fourteen Chapels of the Sacro Monte di Varese

 

Why not take a journey through time and the spirit, and discover the hidden wonders of the Sacro Monte di Varese? This site, one of the “Sacri Monti” [Sacred Mountains] on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is steeped in history, worship, and art, and offers a spiritual and artistic route visiting the fourteen chapels that reproduce the Mysteries of the Rosary.

 

Each one is an architectural and religious masterpiece and together, they create a unique journey. They embody religious faith and were built over the centuries to show episodes from the life of Jesus Christ. They are also an extraordinary expression of art, created by great artists and architects. 
This itinerary will show you more of the history of these chapels, exploring their deep spiritual importance and looking in greater detail at the stunning artworks they contain. What makes it unique is its ability to transport visitors into a world suspended between heaven and earth, between the sacred and the profane. Visiting these fourteen chapels allows you to experience the ancient traditions of pilgrimage and contemplation, immersed in the mystical atmosphere of the Sacro Monte.
Get ready for an extraordinary experience that will take you on a journey through the history of the chapels on the Sacro Monte di Varese.
 

 

Chapel One - Annunciation
The First Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese is the chapel of the Annunciation, dedicated to the first joyful mystery of the Rosary, and it represents the start of the grand Via Sacra [Holy Way].

Scopri di più
Chapel Two - Visitation
The Second Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese is dedicated to the Visitation. Built in 1605, from designs by Giuseppe Bernascone, the chapel has a rectangular layout and it is positioned parallel to the Via Sacra, which is why visitors first see the right side of the building and its sundial.
(Ph: Antonio Zaffaroni)

Scopri di più
Chapel Three - Nativity
The Third Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese is dedicated to the Nativity and was built in 1605. It features grandiose architecture that reflects the importance of the event represented. The chapel is oval in shape with a large portico at the entrance, which serves a dual purpose, both as a space for reflection and a shelter for pilgrims.

Scopri di più
Chapel Four – Presentation at the Temple
The Fourth Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese, dedicated to the Presentation at the Temple, is the work of Giuseppe Bernascone. Its panoramic position on the bend leading up to the Fifth Chapel, offers a view out on the Olona Valley, blending perfectly into the surrounding atmosphere.

Scopri di più
Chapel Five – The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
The Fifth Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese, dedicated to the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, is an imposing building at the top of a steep road from the Fourth Chapel, and offers views over Varese. The people of Varese were responsible for its construction, although the donations came in slowly and the building was only completed in 1623, after works began in 1607.

Scopri di più
Chapel Six - Jesus Praying in the Garden
The Sixth Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese, dedicated to Jesus Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, shows the first of the Sorrowful Mysteries. The building features a sober architectural style with rectangular main structure, a portico decorated with an elegant curved top, and an oval apse on the back. The chapel stands on a terrace with balustrade, and its position required complex work of engineering, supervised by the architect, Bernascone, for over twenty years.
(Ph: Antonio Zaffaroni)

Scopri di più
Chapel Seven - The Scourging at the Pillar
The Seventh Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese, dedicated to the Scouring at the Pillar, was one of the first to be completed in 1609, thanks to the noble patrons of the arts, Francesco and Girolamo Litta.

Scopri di più
Chapel Eight - The Crowning with the Thorns
The Eighth Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese, dedicated to the Crowning with the thorns, features an octagonal layout and a cylindrical structure with windows. Steps at the side invite visitors to go up to the portico. To the sides of the chapel are two more windows, following a layout already used on other chapels in the area.
(Ph: Antonio Zaffaroni)

Scopri di più
Chapel Nine - Jesus Climbs the Calvary
The Ninth Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese, dedicated to Jesus Climbing the Calvary, has a stairway into the house and a portico with three arches on columns, but the stand-out element is the now damaged fresco of the Ecce Homo, completed in 1686 by Milanese artist, Stefano Maria Legnani.
(Ph: Antonio Zaffaroni)

Scopri di più
Chapel Ten - The Crucifixion
The Tenth Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese, dedicated to the Crucifixion of Christ, completed in 1623, stands at the top of a long climb, which ends just before turning suddenly to the right. Visitors are immediately struck by the large portico occupying the entire width of the chapel.
(Ph: Antonio Zaffaroni)

Scopri di più
Chapel Eleven - The Resurrection
The Eleventh Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese, dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ and finished before 1622, has a slender structure with a façade that is parallel to the road, and a portico with arches, of which the one in the centre is the widest. The chapel entrance is at the top of a stairway leading to a window with three lights. .
(Ph: Antonio Zaffaroni)

Scopri di più
Chapel Twelth: the Ascension of Christ
The Twelfth Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese, dedicated to the Ascension of Christ and built after 1624, stands out for its strategic position along the Via Sacra. The façade is slightly turned to the left, suggesting the continuation of the road past the chapel, creating a considerable scenographic effect.
(Ph: Antonio Zaffaroni)

Scopri di più
Chapel Thirteen - The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Thirteenth Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese, dedicated to the Pentecost, is a notable architectural example. Built after 1624, it stands out for its central position along the Via Sacro. Its octagonal layout and large portico invite pilgrims to explore the scene of the Pentecost depicted inside the chapel itself.

Scopri di più
Chapel Fourteen - The Assumption of Mary
The Fourteenth Chapel of the Sacro Monte di Varese is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin. It was built in 1610 and is the final stage in the Via Sacra, since the fifteenth mystery is located inside the sanctuary.

Scopri di più

On the same topic

Show all

Castles in Lombardy

The charm of Lombardy through its castles
  • Art & Culture
Castles in Lombardy, Scenes from a Fairy Tale

The Longobard heritage of Pavia

A journey of discovery to uncover the ancient civilisation of the Longobards through the history of the city of Pavia.
  • Art & Culture
The Longobard heritage of Pavia

Monument Sondrio

Historical, artistic, traditional Sondrio in its many monuments ... and a railway station from which a special train departs
  • Art & Culture
Monument Sondrio, what to see

The Rainbow Quarter

  • Art & Culture
The Rainbow Quarter

Nose up in the streets of Milan

We wander around the city observing plaques and inscriptions
  • Art & Culture
Nose up in the streets of Milan

Discovering Pordenone

Prosegue il percorso condiviso con le città di Piacenza e Pordenone
  • Art & Culture
Discovering Pordenone

The Legend of the Giubiana

The Giubiana festival is a very popular tradition in Lombardy
  • Art & Culture
Traditions in Como: The legend of the Giubiana

Festival of Ethical Photography

Responsible photojournalism: The Festival of Ethical Photography
  • Art & Culture
Festival della Fotografia Etica

Come to discover Cremona!

A new guide for children and families
  • Art & Culture
Come to discover Cremona!

Monuments Milan

Milan is rich in historical and artistic monuments of the highest value that bear witness to the history of the Lombard capital
  • Art & Culture
Monuments Milan, suggestions for visiting

Sondrio, the legend of Orlando

Castel Masegra is an imposing building which sits atop a 60m-tall rock, dominating the Sondrio skyline
  • Art & Culture
Sondrio Castello Masegra

The historic houses of Bergamo

Gardens, art, culture and beauty: the historic homes of the noble families of Bergamo are well worth a visit.
  • Art & Culture
The historic houses of Bergamo

Alessandro Manzoni Itinerary

Lombardy blends nature and culture in an itinerary that will take you to the locations of his famous novel The Betrothed
  • Art & Culture
Alessandro Manzoni Itinerary

Walking through time between Grosio and Grosotto

The most extensive historiated rock in Europe
  • Art & Culture
Walking through time between Grosio and Grosotto

Literary suggestions in Lombardy

Wandering around the region, among places, cities and events that have inspired great authors
  • Art & Culture
Literary suggestions in Lombardy

The window on the river Po

A romantic corner on the Great River
  • Art & Culture
The window on the river Po

Monuments Como

Como, with noble palaces, elegant architecture and monuments, is an ideal destination for cultural tourism
  • Art & Culture
Monuments Como, ideas for visiting

Five Art Refuges in the City

We can reveal some of the finest, most beautiful spaces that perhaps you did not know about
  • Art & Culture
Five Art Refuges in the City - Lombardy

The leonardo ferryboat in imbersago

  • Art & Culture
The Leonardo Ferryboat in Imbersago

Lomello and its Christian buildings

Village of strategical importance since ancient times, here you can discover the great Romanesque Lombard architecture
  • Art & Culture
Lomello and its Christian buildings