The grandeur of the Alps and the suggestion of history
Surrounded by the Alps and the typical villages with slopes still used to cultivate vineyards of ancient origin close to Switzerland, the Sacred Mount winds from the village of Domodossola up to the hills of Mattarella, a place of very ancient origins where Roman and Lombard building materials, ceramics and utensils were found along with a marble headstone dating back to 539 A.D., reused in the courtyard of the medieval castle which went destroyed in 1415 by the Swiss.
The Sacred Mount project was undertaken in 1656 by the Capuchin friars Gioacchino da Cassano and Andrea da Rho to represent The Passion and Death of Jesus in life-size images in a Biblia pauperum of sorts. When Napoleon disbanded the monastic orders in 1810, the Capuchin friars were cast away and the convent turned into military barracks. In 1828, the complex returned to life thanks to a new religious order founded by the priest and philosopher Antonio Rosmini from the Trentino region. The construction of the other chapels resumed and continued until the early twentieth century.
Info utili
How to get
To Domodossola
By plane: Milano Malpensa
By car: A26 (E62) + SS33 del Sempione, exit Domodossola and directions for Sacro Monte
By train: station of Domodossola, lines for Milano, Losanna and Ginevra (CH), Novara - www.trenitalia.com
line for Locarno (CH) - www.vigezzina.com
By bus: connections from/to Novara - Tel. +39 0324 240333 - www.comazzibus.com
Public transport info: Muoversi in Piemonte
To the Sacro Monte
With GPS: borgata Sacro Monte Calvario, 5 - 28845 Domodossola (VB)
From the station, take a taxi or walk (50’ distance) up to the Sacro Monte
Access for small buses (25 seats) and quite difficult, notice must be given to the Rosminian Fathers
On foot: directions beginning of Via Crucis from Domodossola (about 30’ distance)
Tourist Services
Road
It is possible to reach by car the starting point of the monumental path to the Sacro Monte that starts from Domodossola.
The final path (Chapel 8-15) with the Sanctuary of the Cross can be reached by car following the directions for Borgata Sacro Monte.
Access to the historical area by motor vehicle or bicycle is forbidden unless a special authorization is issued by the Ente di gestione dei Sacri Monti.
Parking
In Domodossola, at the beginning of the route, it is possible to park.
At the Sacro Monte (Borgata Sacro Monte) there are two car parks.
Difficult access for the disabled
The Sacro Monte of Domodossola is a monumental complex with paths connecting the chapels that have steps, cobblestones and paving stones, sloping passages and architectural barriers.
Disabled people who cannot walk or have reduced mobility can access the SS. Crocifisso church by car with a disabled badge.
After getting out of the car, the vehicle must be returned to the parking areas.
Info Point
At the oratory of the Madonna delle Grazie (to the right of the entrance gate coming from chapel 7) there is a leaflet dispenser.
At the Stockalper house on Saturdays and Sundays and until 10 October there is an information point run by the Consortium for the restoration of the chapels of the Sacro Monte di Domodossola.
tel. 338 6132825
Conference Hall
At the Centro di Spiritualità Rosminiana (Rosminian Fathers) there is a spacious and well-equipped conference room.
The room is also accessible to the disabled.
Restaurant
Circolo Acli Santa Croce
B.ta Sacro Monte, 28845 - Domodossola (VB)
tel. 0324 47049
Accommodation - rooms
The Centro di Spiritualità Rosminiana offers a B&B service.
For further information: tel. 0324 242010
WC
Toilets are located
- at the Stockalper car park (also for the disabled)
- at Mattarella Castle
Religious celebrations
Service times
FRIDAYS
7.30 a.m. (in the crypt)
16.30 (at the Crypt)
PREFESTIVE
4.30 p.m. (S.Quirico)
FESTIVALS [summer time]
10.00 a.m. (at the Calvary)
4.30 p.m. (at Addolorata)
FESTIVALS [summer time]
10.00 a.m. (at the Sanctuary)
5.30 p.m. (at the Sanctuary)
VESPERS
Summer timetable: 3.45 p.m. (at Addolorata)
Winter timetable: 4.45 p.m. (at the Sanctuary)
Local Tourist Info
Distretto Turistico dei Laghi, Monti e Valli d’Ossola
Corso Italia, 26 – 28838 Stresa (VB)
Tel. +39 0323 30416
E-mail: infoturismo@distrettolaghi.it
www.distrettolaghi.it
