A Sacro Monte between earth and sky
The large sanctuary complex stands at approximately 1200 meters above sea level, in a valley at the foot of a scenic mountain backdrop, embellished by two basilicas, the Ancient one and the Upper one, surrounded by large courtyards flanked by buildings and arcades. Climbing up from Biella, just before reaching the complex, the devotional path opens up on the left, leading to the Sacred Mount and zigzagging on a grassy slope still used as pasture. The twelve chapels, whose construction started in the year 1620, in their interiors tell the life story of the Virgin Mary through polychrome terracotta statues and frescoes by Giovanni d'Enrico and his school, as well as by Bartolomeo Termine and Agostino Silva and in the eighteenth century by Carlo Francesco, Giuseppe Auregio Termine and Giovanni Galliari. Five additional chapels dedicated to the saints and the tradition of the sanctuary are located along the last stretch of the climb that leads to Oropa from Biella and to the east of the Sacred Mount.
The origin of the sanctuary is linked, just like the one of the Madonna of Crea sanctuary, to Saint Eusebius, evangelizer of eastern Piedmont and first bishop of Vercelli, who in the second half of the fourth century hid in a cave, safeguarding it against Aryan incursions, a wooden statue of the Madonna, sculpted by Saint Luke who had carried it with him from Palestine. This statue, now known as the Black Madonna, is still worshipped even if in truth it is a refined masterpiece by a sculptor from Valle d'Aosta dating back to the late thirteenth century.
Info utili
How to get
To Biella
By plane: Milano Malpensa and Torino Caselle
By car: from Torino: A4 exit Santhià direction for Biella SP143 and direction for Oropa SP144;
from Milan: A4 exit Carisio direction for Biella SP230 and for Oropa SP144; from Aosta: A5 exit
Quincinetto direction for Biella SS26+SP73+SP419 and direction for Oropa SP144
By train: station of Biella, lines Santhià-Torino and Novara-Milano - www.trenitalia.com
To Oropa and the Sacro Monte
With GPS: Località Santuario di Oropa - 13900 Biella (BI)
Bus: local line n. 2 Biella-Oropa - ATAP Tel. 800912716
Public transport info: Muoversi in Piemonte
Tourist Services
Road
Oropa can be reached by car. The Sacro Monte, located just before the sanctuary on the left, can only be reached on foot.
Bus
Buses can easily reach the sanctuary.
Public Buses
From the railway station, bus route No. 2 connects the city to the sanctuary on a daily basis.
Cableway
Near the Upper Basilica, the Mucrone cableway allows reaching the Rosazza Mountain Refuge and Savoia Hotel at an altitude of 1900 meters, from where an easy fifteen minute walk, leads to Lake Mucrone; here visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the Biella area and the plain below, as far as Turin and Milan.
Parking
In Oropa it is easy to park.
Motor home parking
The RV equipped area is located at the parking lot by the Oropa-Mucrone cableway.
Difficult access for the disabled
The Sacro Monte of Oropa is a monumental complex with inner paths connecting the chapels through steps, gravel and dirt roads, slopes and architectural barriers.The disabled unable to walk or with reduced mobility may reach some of the chapels, but it will be extremely challenging. With authorization of the Sacro Monte Management Authority, the disabled holding a blue badge may access the vicinity of some chapels from the road.
Info point
The welcome centre at the sanctuary provides information and brochures.
Bookshop
Inside the sanctuary, there are several shops selling souvenirs and informative material on the devotional complex and the Sacri Monti.
Guide-assisted tour
Guided tours are organized by qualified guides for a fee.
Organization of groups
The Welcome Office of the Sanctuary of Oropa manages group tours for those interested in an overnight staying and a tour of the monumental complex and sanctuary.
Didactics
To organize educational activities, please contact the sanctuary welcome centre.
Congress room
The sanctuary has a large and equipped conference room. The room is disabled-friendly.
Restaurant
Both inside and outside the Oropa sanctuary complex there are many places where you can enjoy traditional Piedmont cuisine.
Picnic area
To the left of the Sacro Monte, there are picnic areas. Camping and starting fires are strictly prohibited and food and drinks are banned in the area of the monuments and under the chapel arcades.
Hospitality - rooms
The sanctuary of Oropa offers many great opportunities for hotel stays.
Toilets
Are located throughout the sanctuary complex and near the Upper basilica.
Toilets for Disabled
Are located throughout the sanctuary complex and near the Upper basilica.
Religious ceremonies
Weekends
Ancient basilica 7.30 am – 9.00 am – 10.30 am – 4.30 am – 6.15 am - 3.15 am (Rosary e Vespers with Benedizione Eucaristica)
Upper basilica (cappella S. Eusebio) 11.45 am
Weekdays:
Ancient basilica Ore 7.40 (lodi) – 8.00 – 9.00 (dal 1 maggio al 30 settembre) – 10.30 am – 4.30 pm* – 6.15 pm (pre-holiday)
6.15 pm: evening prayer (July and August)
* On Saturday, the 4.30 pm Mass is pre-holiday
Upper basilica 11.30 am (July and August)
CONFESSIONS
Ancient basilica
BOTANIC GARDEN
The Oropa botanical garden hosts approximately 500 species of plants in a vast green area of 20,000 square meters. In addition to a natural beech forest, one can enjoy the typical environments of the Biella mountains (spontaneous flora) such as high-altitude peat bogs and some rocky gardens where mountain plants from around the world are grown (ornamental flora).
Opening Hours from September: from Wednesday to Friday from 1pm to 6pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays). Saturdays and holidays from 10 am to 6 pm.
For more information: Phone +39 015 2523058 - www.gboropa.it
Tourist Local Info
Azienda Turistica Locale del Biellese
P.zza V. Veneto, 3 - 13900 Biella (BI)
Tel. + 39 015 351128 - n° verde 800 811 800
