Art, spirituality and nice landscape
The Sacro Monte of Crea is located in the heart of Monferrato, on a hilltop surrounded by a wonderful vineyard landscape. The Sacro Monte was founded in 1589 on the initiative of Costantino Massino, Prior of the Lateran Canons at the Sanctuary of the Madonna Assunta of Crea.Massino proposed to build a religious itinerary imitating the Sacro Monte of Varallo, to promote prayer and meditation and to renew the Marian devotion connected to the Sanctuary, an important pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages. The construction of the Sacro Monte involved the dukes of Monferrato, the local nobility, the higher clergy and the lay community. During the first phase of its history (ca 1589-1657), many important artists worked at the Sacro Monte, such as Guglielmo Caccia (“il Moncalvo”), Michele Prestinari and the de Wespin brothers (“Tabacchetti”). The latter were responsible for the spectacular sculptures of the “Paradiso” (Heaven) chapel (no. 23), created between about 1604 and 1612.
During the eighteenth century the Sacro Monte slowly fell into disrepair. Between 1796 and 1801 French revolutionary armies rampaged through the chapels, smashing statues and defacing frescoes. For a few decades the Sacro Monte was abandoned and only in 1820 a community of Franciscan friars, newly installed at the Sanctuary, began to restore some buildings. A systematic restoration campaign, supported by the Archbishop Nazari di Calabiana of Milan, started in 1885 and lasted until 1920s. During this phase, in which many chapels were rebuilt from scratch, famous Symbolist sculptor Leonardo Bistolfi modelled the wonderful statues of the Ascent to Calvary (chapel no. 16).
Info utili
How to get
By plane: Milano Malpensa, Torino Caselle, Genova Cristoforo Colombo
By car: A26 (E62), exit Casale Sud, SP 457 direction Asti, Moncalvo, at the hamlet of La Madonnina di Serralunga di Crea follow directions for Sacro Monte
By train: station of Casale Monferrato+bus: line Torino-Chivasso-Casale Monferrato; station of Asti: line Torino - Asti + bus; line Alessandria-Casale Monferrato; station of Casale Monferrato + bus - www.trenitalia.com
By Bus: lines for Asti and Casale, stop of La Madonnina - www.gruppostat.com
With GPS: Sacro Monte di Crea (AL), access from Ponzano Monferrato or Madonnina di Serralunga di Crea
Private buses: must take the road from Ponzano Monferrato
Public transport info: Muoversi in Piemonte
On foot: a 5 km walk
Tourist Services
Road
The Sacro Monte can be reached by car, up to the parking lots, from Ponzano Monferrato and Serralunga di Crea. Access to the historical area by motor vehicles or bicycles is forbidden unless a special authorization is issued by the Sacred Mounts Management Authority.
Bus (limited access)
Buses are allowed to access the Sacro Monte up to the parking lots. Buses, for traffic reasons, must reach the Sacro Monte from the Municipality of Ponzano Monferrato.
Parking
At the Sacri Monti there are parking lots available.
Difficult access for the disabled
The Sacro Monte of Crea is a monumental complex with inner paths connecting the chapels through steps, cobbled as well as gravel and dirt roads, slopes and architectural barriers. The church's square is easily accessible to the disabled.
Info point
The info point of the Nature Reserve of the Sacro Monte of Crea is located at the parking lot near the access to the church square and provides, during opening hours to the public (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m./ 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.), tourist information and brochures.
Librairie
A shop with souvenirs and info material related to the Sacro Monte is located in the square of the Sanctuary. Open seasonally, and closed on Mondays. Info: Diocesan administration of the Sacro Monte - Phone +39 0142 940109
Guide-assisted tour
Guided tours to the Sacro Monte of Crea are organized by qualified guides for a fee.
Didactics
At the seven Sacri Monti of Piedmont, the Management Authority offers educational programs for:
- Kindergartens
- Elementary schools
- Junior high schools and senior high schools
- Universities: with prior agreement, visits, studies, in-depth analyses and specific projects are available.
Info: didattica@sacri-monti.com
Congress room
A 30-seat conference room is available.
The room, equipped with a stereo system and projector connected to PC can be booked for training activities, seminars or conferences.
Restaurant
www.ristorantedicrea.it - Phone +39 0142 940106
Caffè Santuario di Crea - Phone +39 0142 940106
Picnic area
Inside and outside the protected area there are areas fully equipped for picnics.
Camping and starting fires are strictly prohibited and food and drinks are banned in the squares and arcades.
Hospitality - rooms
Diocesan Sanctuary of the Madonna di Crea
Tel. +39 0142 940109 - E-mail: creasant@libero.it
Toilets
Toilets, also for disabled-friendly, are located:
- in the square of the Sanctuary, under the arcades
- next to the info point
Religious ceremonies
Religious Service Hours
THE MASS:
Weekends
(Daylight savings time)
7.30 am - 9.30 am - 11.00 am - 5.00 pm
(Winter time)
7.30 am - 9.30 am - 11.00 am - 4.00 pm
Weekdays
(Daylight savings time)
8.00 am - 5.00 pm
(Winter time)
8.00 am - 4.00 am
CONFESSIONS
7.00 am - 12.00 am - 2,30 pm - 6.00 pm
Other moments of prayer:
Every day at 7.30 Lauds, at 15.00, the recitation of the Holy Rosary.
On Sunday: after the Holy Rosary Short Catechesis.
Vespers
Daylight savings time: 6.00 pm
Winter time: 5.00 pm
For more information: Amministrazione diocesana del Sacro Monte – Tel. +39 0142 940109
Local Tourist Info
Alexala - Agenzia di Accoglienza e Promozione Turistica Locale of the province of Alessandria
Piazza Santa Maria di Castello, 14 15121 Alessandria (AL)
Tel. +39 0131 227454
E-mail: info@alexala.it
www.alexala.it
