The Sacro Monte is one of the UNESCO sites in the province of Varese. Immersed in the greenery of the Campo dei Fiori Regional Park, the Sacro Monte is a two kilometer long devotional path built in the 17th century
the monumental avenue on a cobbled background is characterized by fourteen chapels dedicated to the Mysteries of the Rosary and allows you to reach the village where the Sanctuary, the Monastery and three museums: the Crypt, an ancient 9th – 10th century church and the true heart of the history of Santa Maria del Monte
Each chapel is a small masterpiece in itself, with sculptures, frescoes and altars.
You reach the first access arch to the avenue of the chapels via the driveway (via Conventino) which – as an alternative to the via sacra which can only be traveled on foot – leads to the top of the mountain.
Baroffio Museum
it houses works of sacred art from ancient to contemporary and the Pogliaghi House Museum, the eclectic residence of the artist who created the door of the Milan Cathedral (whose 10 x 6 meter model is preserved inside the rooms ).
Monsignor Pasquale Macchi Exhibition Center
inserted in the Sacro Monte di Varese complex, it provides reception services (information material, booking of guided itineraries, events, video and conference room) to pilgrims and visitors. Furthermore, it hosts an exhibition itinerary that develops on two levels, with works by contemporary artists dedicated in particular to the Madonna del Monte.
Lodovico Pogliaghi House Museum
located at the end of the avenue of the Chapels of the Sacred Mount of Varese, it includes precious Egyptian, Etruscan and Greco-Roman archaeological finds, paintings and sculptures dating back to the Renaissance and the Baroque era, a rich collection of precious ancient European and Asian fabrics historical furnishings, curiosities and bizarre objects from all over the world.
Terrace of Moses
“a must stop”, to admire a splendid landscape that embraces the lakes, the mountains of Switzerland and the cities of Varese and Como. On the clearest days you can even see Milan.
Small village of Santa Maria del Monte
where the visitor can walk along the ancient covered streets and visit the Baroffio museum and Casa Museo Pogliaghi, up to the Sanctuary and Monastery of the Romite Ambrosiane.
For those who reach the top of the mountain by car or bus (parking in Piazzale Pogliaghi), take the short Via del Ceppo which leads to the lifts which allow you to bridge the difference in altitude up to the small Piazza Paolo VI, from which you can access the Sanctuary.
Funicular (Website info)
Also suggestive is the ascent via the Sacro Monte di Varese funicular, built in 1909. On Saturdays and Sundays, bus line C takes you to the valley station of the funicular, from which you can go up to the mountain station in a few minutes.
Sacro Monte di Varese
Viale del Santuario
Via Prima Cappella
Varese