Chiesa di Santa Apollonia

 

The early 18th century church was built on the foundation of a previous building upon a massive granite outcrop. Nearby important archeological discoveries have revealed a necropolis from the 10th century B.C. Inside valuable frescoes are still visible on the vault of the aisle. Interesting are the keys of Saint Peter carved on the bottom of the altar, which testify the ancient belonging of Belmonte's lands to the Holy See's properties. Laterally, there is a direct access to a small room with a fireplace, probably a small hermitage where travelers could refresh themselves before resuming the walk towards the Sanctuary. The dedication of Church to Saint Apollonia, a Christian martyr born around 249 A.D., it was celebrated every year on the 9th February with religious functions where the blessed bread was distributed for free to the devotees. Instead the folk festival involved the installation of two parquet dances: the first one in the plateau near to the church, the other one near the inn of the so-called Silver Fountain, where the paths coming from Courgnè and Valperga connected together in a single path in the direction of the Path of the Kiosks.

 

Felice Barucco (1830-1906)

Church of the Sacntuary of Belmonte

 

• Don’t go outside the paths;

• Keep the dogs;

• Regulated mushroom harvesting;

• Regulated wild berries harvesting;

• Risk of falling trees or branches in case of high wind;

• Risk of electrocution in case of thunders;

• Risk of falling by floating snow or ice on the ground in case of snowfall.

 

• Taking off trail paths;

• Leaving junks behind;

• Lighting fires;

• Picking up flowers;

• Disturbing the fauna.