i Sacri Monti
The Sacri Monti were of particular religious interest as pilgrimage routes between the 15th and 16th centuries. They featured a large number of chapels that were very deliberately situated along the way. Behind these chapels lies a well-defined spiritual programme that was strengthened in that historical/geographical region at that time by the Order of Friars Minor Observants and then by San Carlo Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan. The new project was the result of guidelines from the Council of Trent concerning some areas of the region that were most under threat from the heresy of the Lutheran Reform. Several sites that were already places of worship were transformed into complexes housing paintings and sculptures depicting religious historical events taken from the Old and New Testaments or stories of Saints’ lives. The Nuova Gerusalemme of Varallo, Sesia was the first of these and dates back to 1486. It was built by the Franciscan Bernardino Caimi as a European version of the Holy Places in Palestine that at that time could not be reached by Christian pilgrims.
Following the Council of Trent in 1535, variations on the Sacro Monte di Varallo theme were used in other places under the jurisdiction of the Curia of Milan. The concept went ahead later in Italy and Europe in an effort to combat the influence of the Protestant reform. These pilgrim stations were built according to specific rules dictated by Borromeo and celebrated not only the life of Christ but also the culture regarding the Virgin Mary and the Saints. The stations were strategically located at the mouths of Alpine valleys and were fortifications of the Catholic faith. Following Varallo came the Sacri Monti of Crea, Orta, Varese, Oropa, Ossuccio, Ghiffa, Domodossola and Belmonte. One of the great achievements of the first Sacri Monti was the way in which they managed to seamlessly integrate the natural, historic, architectural, artistic and cultural elements together, but at the same time retain their very different individual characteristics. Between them runs a coherent intangible system of values and they provide exceptional witness to the spiritual values of the Counter-reformation. The Sacri Monti are shining examples of buildings that combine the natural environment and the hand of man to achieve religious aims and form a new cultural landscape.
Sacro Monte or Nuova Gerusalemme di Varallo Sesia
Sacro Monte di Varallo
Work began on the Sacro Monte di Varallo in 1486 by the Franciscan Padre Bernardino Caimi. When he returned from the Holy Land he thought of recreating, on the cliffs overlooking the town of Varallo, the places where Christ had lived. The project was successful thanks to assistance from the people of Varallo. During the early stages, artists like Guadenzio Ferrari were involved and their works contributed to the Cappella della Crocifissione and the great wall of the Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie. These represent the beginning of the Sacri Monti pilgrimage route.
Towards the mid 1500’s, Galeazzo Alessi was commissioned by the new deacon of Sacro Monte Giacomo d’Adda, to organise a new layout of the Sacro Monte with the aim of creating an “Ideal Town”. Although only partially completed (Larger entrance and the Cappella di Adamo ed Eva) this project inspired the later construction stages that bequeathed the Sacro Monte with a design that featuring a sense of spaciousness and originality.
After the Council of Trent, Carlo Borromeo, the Bishop of Milan, gave instructions for the resumption of restoration work on the Sacro Monte to stimulate religious fervour. The work produced churches of a wonderful architectural simplicity that underlined the simple value of faith. Artists including Michele Prestinari and Tabacchetti contributed during this period.
Borromeo’s work was continued by the bishop of Novara, Carlo Bescapè with the architects and sculptors Giovanni d’Enrico and Bartolomeo Ravelli and painters like Tabacchetti, “il Morazzone”, “il Ceranino”, Melchiorre and Antonio d’Enrico known as “il Tanzio”.
The Sacro Monte is made up of 45 chapels ranging from the Basilica dell’Assunta to other buildings on the mountain overlooking Varallo. At one stage, the mountain was covered with cultivated terraces but there now grow woods of broad leaved trees, chestnuts and beech. Within the confines of the complex, the flora is an essential part of the architecture and indeed to some extent marks out the routes for pilgrims and creates ideal places that are ideal for meditation and contemplation.
Sacro Monte di Santa Maria Assunta di Serralunga di Crea
Sacro Monte di Crea
This was built in 1598 by Costantino Massino, the Prior of the ancient Marian monastery that sat astride one of the highest peaks in Monferrato. The 23 chapels that follow the winding path through the woods recount the story of the Blessed Virgin. They houses coloured terracotta statues and frescoes made between the 16th and 17th centuries by Guglielmo Caccia (il Moncalvo) and Giovanni and Nicola De Wespin (the Tabacchettis). The 19th century plaster sculptures are by Leonardo Bistolfi and Antonio Brilla. The Sacro Monte complex also has five hermitages.
The Crea shrine and the complex have Roman origins and during the 18th and 19th centuries underwent substantial restoration that changed their earlier appearance.
Sacro Monte di San Francesco di Orta San Giulio
Sacro Monte di Orta
The Sacro Monte dedicated to the life of St Francis of Assisi was built on a cliff overlooking the village of Orta. It was built at the villager’s request in 1590 with the support of Bishop Bescapè. Padre Cleto da Castelletto Ticino was the designer and laid out a wonderful route that intermingled art, nature and the surrounding landscape. The route takes in 21 chapels that face on to the lake and the evocative island of San Giulio. Among the artistic contributors were; Dionigi Bussola, Cristoforo Prestinari, Giovanni and Melchiorre d’Enrico as sculptors, the Nuvolone brothers, il Legnanino, Antonio Maria Crespi and il Morazzone painted the frescoes.
Sacro Monte del Rosario di Varese
Sacro Monte di Varese
Building of the Sacro Monte di Varese began in 1604 under the command of the Franciscan monk Giovanni Battista Aguggiari who enjoyed the support of Cardinal Federico Borromeo and Pope Pius V. The site chosen was an ancient Ambrosian place of worship. The works included 15 chapels dedicated to the mysteries of the rosary and the last was the Santuario di Santa Maria del Monte, completed in 1680. Artists that worked alongside the architect Giuseppe Bernasconi included the sculptors Cristoforo Prestinari, Francesco Silva and Dionigi Bussola and the painters Francesco Nuvolone, il Morazzone, Andrea Villa, etc.
Sacro Monte di Varese
Pilgrims follow a pathway that is more than 2 km long that rises 400 metres. This offers a spectacular view over the unusually large woods that are divided into three sections, one separated from the next by arches that represent the three Mysteries of the Rosary.
Sacro Monte della Beata Vergine di Oropa
Sacro Monte di Oropa
The Santuario di Oropa is accredited to Saint Eusebius, the first bishop of Vercelli who died between 371 and 374. He built the first small chapel where he placed a statue of the Madonna discovered in Jerusalem that had been carved by St Luke.
In 1295 the building was consecrated as the Chiesa di Santa Maria di Oropa and after the Council of Trent became the destination of pilgrims from near and far alike.
The Savoys ordered the construction of the current basilica that houses the statue of the black Madonna and the other buildings for housing pilgrims. The Savoy nobles were frequent visitors and had a special pavilion built for themselves. In 1617 work began on the Sacro Monte and went on for hundreds of years without however reaching the original goal of 25 chapels. Twenty of these were intended to describe the Virgin Mary’s life through paintings and statues.
Sacro Monte di Oropa
Nowadays, the Sacro Monte consists of 17 churches that were built over a period of about 150 years. Twelve of these describe the Madonna’s life while the other five are dedicated to religious concepts (San Fermo, San Luca, Cappella del Trasporto, Santa Maria Maddalena, Cappella del Roc). The buildings are logically but loosely scattered over a grassy clifftop called the “Oretto”. The procession of chapels establishes an orderly route that encourages meditation and appreciation of the art works. This pilgrims’ path shows them superb landscapes dominated by the “conca di Oropa” that accompanies them right to the peak of the Sacro Monte.
Work on the new basilica started in 1885 using plans drawn up by Galletti in 1774 and the building was consecrated in 1960.
Sacro Monte of the Blessed Virgin of Succour, Ossuccio
The Sacro Monte is located on a hillside slope between olive groves and woods along the western edge of Lake Como facing the Isola Comacina. Fifteen Baroque inspired chapels, built between 1635 and 1710, and dedicated to the Mysteries of the Rosary are dotted along the way that leads to the Monastery. This building is the last in the chain and is dedicated to the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin.
Sacro Monte della SS. Trinità di Ghiffa
Sacro Monte di Ghiffa
Between the late 16th and mid 17th centuries, a Sacro Monte was built around the Sanctuary with the aim of representing passages from the Old and New Testaments. In fact however, only three of the chapels in the original plan were actually built. The original frescoed colonnade was built in 1752 and depicted scenes from the Via Crucis. It was made up of 14 arched vaults and the late Baroque Cappella dell’Addolorata was added to the Northern end of the arcade at a later date.
Sacro Monte di Ghiffa
The sanctuary that was dedicated to the Holy Trinity dates back to 1591. It was later subjected to enlargement and alterations to house the numerous pilgrims who had always flocked to it from when it first opened. The “Casa del Romito” was built alongside the sanctuary in 1752 as a residence for the brother-keeper. This dwelling housed the little Cappella del Gesù nel Giardino di Getsemani that was furnished in 1930. The Sacro Monte lies amidst deep forest and offers unforgettable views over Lake Maggiore far below.
Sacro Monte Calvario di Domodossola
Sacro Monte di Domodossola
The hills of Matterella that overlook Domodossola were chosen as the most appropriate site for the Calvario Sacro Monte projected by the Franciscan fathers Andrea da Rho and Gioachino da Cassano during the famine of 1656. Eleven chapels line the way and they are adorned with statues and frescoes that depict the Way of the Cross. Construction on the sanctuary of SS.
Sacro Monte di Domodossola
Crocifisso that sits high on the hills was begun in 1657. Alongside the sanctuary lie the well-preserved remains of the 6th century Matterella castle. The Istituto di Carità was founded on the Sacro Monte in 1828 by the philosopher priest Antonio Rosmini.
Sacro Monte di Belmonte, Valperga
Sacro Monte di Belmonte
The building of the Sacro Monte, located at the top of Monte Soglio, was thanks to Michelangelo da Montiglio, a Minor Observant friar. The construction began in 1712 and went on spasmodically until 1825. Towards the mid 1800’s, terracotta statues from Castellamonte were positioned and were replaced by plaster versions in the early 1900’s. The thirteen chapels are dedicated to the Mysteries of the Rosary and follow a route that winds through the woods. The chapels are to be found at preordained distances apart and feature specific decorations that are often identical. 13).
The Sacro Monte was built over an ancient church and a Benedictine monastery that dated back to the 11th century.
UNESCO INSCRIPTION
Inscription N° 1068 2003 C (ii) (iv)
The World Heritage Committee has inscribed the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (ii) and (iv) as defined in paragraph 44 of the “Operational guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention”:
Criterion (ii): The implantation of architecture and sacred art into a natural landscape for didactic and spiritual purposes achieved its most exceptional expression in the Sacri Monti (‘Sacred Mountains’) of northern Italy and had a profound influence on subsequent developments elsewhere in Europe.
Criterion (iv): The Sacri Monti (‘Sacred Mountains’) of northern Italy represent the successful integration of architecture and fine art into a landscape of great beauty for spiritual reasons at a critical period in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.
The World Heritage Committee encourages the authorities of Italy and Switzerland to consider a possible transboundary collaboration in an extension of the property to include other properties of this type in Switzerland.
The UNESCO website at www.unesco.org/culture in the pages dedicated to World Heritage describes the “Sacred Mountains of Piedmont and Lombardy” as follows:
“The nine Sacri Monti (Sacred Mountains) of northern Italy are groups of chapels and other architectural features created in the late 16th and 17th centuries and dedicated to different aspects of the Christian faith. In addition to their symbolic spiritual meaning, they are of great beauty by virtue of the skill with which they have been integrated into the surrounding natural landscape of hills, forests and lakes. They also house much important artistic material in the form of wall paintings and statuary”.
The Nine Sacri Monti
1. The Sacro Monte or Nuova Gerusalemme (New Jerusalem) of Varallo Sesia (1486)
(Comune of Varallo Sesia – Vercelli)
2. The Sacro Monte of Santa Maria Assunta, Serralunga di Crea (1589)
(Comune of Ponzano Monferrato, Serralunga di Crea – Alessandria)
3. The Sacro Monte of San Francesco, Orta San Giulio (1590)
(Comune of Orta San Giulio – Novara)
4. The Sacro Monte of the Rosary, Varese (1598)
(Comune of Varese – Varese)
5. The Sacro Monte of the Blessed Virgin, Oropa (1617)
(Comune of Biella – Biella)
6. The Sacro Monte of the Blessed Virgin of Succour, Ossuccio (1635)
(Comune of Como – Como)
7. The Sacro Monte of the Holy Trinity, Ghiffa (1591)
(Comune of Ghiffa – Verbania)
8. The Sacro Monte and Calvary, Domodossola (1657)
(Comune of Domodossola – Verbania)
9. The Sacro Monte of Belmonte, Valperga (1712)
(Comunes of Cuorgnè, Pertusio, Prascorsano, Valperga – Torino)
