The new Jerusalem of the Alps
The Municipality of Varallo wishes to inform the public that the Varallo–Sacro Monte cable car service will be temporarily suspended from 9 July until further notice.
Throughout the cable car’s closure, parking at Sacro Monte di Varallo for buses, cars and motorbikes, as well as bus parking at Piazzale Madre Guaini, will no longer be subject to a charge but will be permitted free of charge.
Access to the road leading to Sacro Monte and the associated car parks is not permitted for buses longer than 12 metres.
For further information:
Varallo Municipal Police, tel. +39 0163 562727, email poliziamunicipale@comune.varallo.vc.it
Chapel 11 is currently closed for renovation work to improve the access to the chapel, following the restoration of the decorative elements and the statues.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
VISIT THE SACRO MONTE WITH THE UNESCO SACRI MONTI NEW APP
On the rocky spur overlooking the town of Varallo, at the end of the fifteenth century the Franciscan friar Bernardino Caimi designed a small Holy Land. He built simple, rural edifices, meant to re-create the main landmarks of Jerusalem linked to the life of Christ and to evoke the events occured in those places, with images, paintings or statues made since 1486.
In the early sixteenth-century, the renown painter and sculptor Gaudenzio Ferrari produced spectacular life-size statues, decorated with colourful clothes, beards and hair, located within the chapels built by Caimi. The extreme realism of these scenes, associated with illusionistic wall-paintings, deeply involved the beholder in the sacred drama and became the model for all the chapels built in the following centuries.
After 1565 the Sacro Monte was expanded and remodelled, following the project of the famous late-Renaissance architect Galeazzo Alessi, who collected his drawings for the Sacro Monte in a book known as 'Libro dei Misteri' (Book of the Misteries of Christ’s life). Even though it was only partially executed, the project by Alessi was the starting point for all subsequent development.
During the Counter-Reformation, thanks to the intervention of the Bishop of Novara Carlo Bascapé and his successors, the Sacro Monte turned in a sort of petrified religious theatre, aiming at illustrating a morally uplifting sacred history, by the means of life-size paintings and statues inspired by the works of Gaudenzio Ferrari. The stunning realism of the scenes transformed the chapels into snapshots of real life, produced by prominent artist and such as Tabacchetti, the Fiammenghini, Morazzone, Tanzio da Varallo, Giovanni d’Enrico, Pier Francesco Gianoli, Dionigi Bussola, Giovanni Battista Bernero and Benedetto Alfieri.
The Sacro Monte is also a park-garden, a great rural Way of the Cross climbing up the hill. At the same time, it has the appearance of an ancient fortified city built on a rocky hill, with walls, monumental gates, two squares - civic and religious -, porticoed palaces and piazzas, inhabited by statues and painted characters. The Sacro Monte is theater, art, architecture, garden and forest.
Useful information
How to get
To Varallo
By plane: Milano Malpensa
By car: A4 + A26 (E62), exit Romagnano-Ghemme, direction SP 299 to Varallo/Alagna Valsesia
By train: Torino-Milano line stations of Novara and Vercelli + bus - www.trenitalia.com
By Bus: direct connections from/to Milan, Turin, Vercelli, Novara
Info public transport: Muoversi in Piemonte
To the Sacro Monte
By car and bus, follow the indications for Crosa and Camasco
With GPS: destination località Sacro Monte di Varallo - 13019 Varallo (VC)
Buses: to the Sacro Monte are subject to toll payment - Tel. +39 0163 562727
Cableway: direct connection Varallo-Sacro Monte
On foot: pedestrian path to Varallo-Sacro Monte (20’ distance), cobbled and sloped road
Public transport info: Muoversi in Piemonte
Tourist Services
ROAD ACCESS
The Sacro Monte can be reached by car from Varallo by following the signs for the hamlet of Crosa.
Motor vehicles and bicycles are not permitted in the historic area, unless authorisation has been granted by the Sacri Monti Management Authority (info.varallo@sacri-monti.com)
OPENING HOURS
The Sacro Monte is always open.
BUS ACCESS WITH RESTRICTIONS
To reach Sacro Monte by bus, follow the signs for the hamlets of Crosa and Camasco.
For sat-nav: Sacro Monte di Varallo – 13019 Varallo (VC)
Only single-deck tourist coaches up to 12 metres in length are permitted to access Sacro Monte
CABLE CAR
PLEASE NOTE – From 9 July 2026, the cable car will be closed until further notice.
CAR PARKS
There are convenient car parks at Sacro Monte, which are currently free of charge.
UNFACILITATED CAMPERVAN AREA
Campervans may park temporarily in the parking spaces reserved for cars, but may not stay overnight
In Varallo, there is a facilitated parking area for this purpose at Piazzale Campo dei Frati (Via D’Adda)
Info: Varallo Municipal Police – Tel. +39 0163 562727
DIFFICULT ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Sacro Monte di Varallo is a complex of monuments with internal paths connecting the chapels, featuring steps, cobblestones, paving stones, gravel and dirt tracks, sloping sections and architectural barriers.
In 2006, a connecting path was created between the entrance square (Piazza Testori) and the basilica, passing through the two historic squares. People with disabilities can access the two squares of the Sacro Monte and the basilica by following the route marked on the map. In cases of absolute necessity, they may access the site by vehicle displaying a disability parking permit. Access by car to the historic area of the Sacro Monte must always be notified to the Reserve’s security staff in advance. Once passengers have alighted from the car, the vehicle must be returned to the designated parking areas.
Access by car to the historic area requires the use of a goods lift; use of this lift is not recommended outside the hours when security staff are present. In the event of an emergency, please contact De Zuani P.I. Diego Ascensori, Tel. +39 347 2399423.
The Sacri Monti Management Authority accepts no liability for any inconvenience or disruption to services.
LIFT
Located along the access road to the cable car, this lift forms part of the route for visitors with disabilities and, subject to prior notification to the Reserve’s security staff, provides access to the historic area of Sacro Monte and the basilica. Technical specifications: The lift can carry vehicles with the following maximum dimensions: width 225 cm, height 270 cm, length/depth 470 cm, weight/load capacity 4,000 kg.
BASILICA AND SERVICES
Service times (from 7 April 2026):
Sunday: Holy Mass at 10.30 am and 4.00 pm.
Saturday: Holy Mass at 4.00 pm.
Monday to Friday: Holy Mass at 8.00 am in the Ursuline Sisters’ chapel.
Opening hours of the Basilica of Sacro Monte:
from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Info
Oblate Fathers – Tel. +39 0163 51131
www.sacromontedivarallo.org
Institute of the Ursuline Sisters of Sacro Monte di Varallo
Tel. +39 0163 71586
GUIDED TOURS
During September, the reception service will not be open at weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) or on public holidays.
If there is no answer on the duty mobile number +39 344 348 1148, please call +39 331 206 7775
The Sacri Monti Management Authority organises
guided tours lasting 90 minutes,
by booking only and at the following rates:
- individuals: € 12 per person
- pre-booked groups of 11 to 25 people maximum: € 165
- visitors aged 12 to 18 and over 65, university students: € 10 per person
- children aged 0 to 11, visitors with disabilities and one
carer, teachers from schools of all levels
with a certificate of employment: free admission.
Info and bookings
info.varallo@sacri-monti.com
Tel. +39 344 348 11 48
You can always visit the Sacred Mountain independently using the new free UNESCO Sacred Mountains app, or you can contact qualified tourist guides by consulting the National Platform for Tourist Guides (ref. Law No. 190 of 13 December 2023) on the Ministry of Tourism’s website at the following link: https://www.ministeroturismo.gov.it/ piattaforma-nazionale-delle-guide-turistiche/
OPENING OF CHAPEL NO. 38 – THE CRUCIFIXION
Entry to Chapel No. 38, The Crucifixion, is by booking only, subject to the visitor limits set by the Central Institute for Restoration, at a cost of € 6.10 per person.
Info and bookings
info.varallo@sacri-monti.com
Tel. +39 344 348 11 48
SPECIAL OPENING OF THE CHAPEL GRILLES
This is permitted only for specific, duly documented research activities, subject to assessment by the Management, at the following rates:
- for research: € 10 + VAT per hour;
- for film crews etc. (reimbursement of staff costs): € 100 + VAT per hour.
Info
info.varallo@sacri-monti.com
INFO-POINT
Offices of the Sacro Monte di Varallo Special Reserve:
administrative offices (tel. +39 0163 53938 - +39 344 3481148)
Mon–Fri: 9.30–12.30
Park rangers office and info-point (tel. +39 0163 564518):
Mon–Sun 9.30–12.30 – 14.00–16.30
BOOKSHOP – SOUVENIRS
In Piazza della Basilica there is a shop selling souvenirs and information material about Sacro Monte. It is open seasonally and is closed on Mondays. Info: Diocesan Administration of Sacro Monte – Tel. +39 0163 51131.
CONFERENCE ROOM AND MEETING ROOM AT CASINA D’ADDA
Just before the monumental entrance to Sacro Monte, on the right-hand side, where the Information Point is located, you will find Casina D’Adda.
On the first floor, there is a small meeting room which can be booked at the following rates:
- summer period: € 70 + VAT per day,
- winter season: € 100 + VAT per day.
For bookings of several days: 10% discount.
On the second floor, there is a conference hall seating 92 people, with the option of a video link to the ground floor for disabled users, accommodating around 10 people. The hall, equipped with a sound system and projection facilities with PC connections, can be booked during the working hours of the staff at the Sacro Monte di Varallo Reserve at the following rates:
- summer period: € 150 + VAT per day,
- winter period: € 200 + VAT per day.
For multiple days: 10% discount.
Info and bookings
info.varallo@sacri-monti.com
Tel. +39 344 348 11 48
CHIOSSONE HALL
Rates:
- summer season: € 150 + VAT per day,
- winter season: € 200 + VAT per day.
For multiple days: 10% discount.
Info and bookings
info.varallo@sacri-monti.com
Tel. +39 344 348 11 48
USE OF THE OUTDOOR AREA OF THE LOWER CAR PARK FOR MATERIAL TRANSPORT BY HELICOPTER
Rates:
€ 0.70/sq m + VAT per day for material storage;
€ 50/hour for use of the entire area by a helicopter.
Info
info.varallo@sacri-monti.com
RESTAURANT
Vecchio Albergo Sacro Monte
Sacro Monte area no. 14 - 13019 Varallo (VC)
Tel. +39 0163 54254
info@albergosacromonte.it
www.albergosacromonte.it
PICNIC AREA
There are areas both inside and outside the protected area specifically designated for eating meals.
Camping and lighting fires are prohibited everywhere; eating and drinking are prohibited in the squares and under the arcades.
TOILETS
Toilets are located
- at the first square/car park;
- behind Chapel No. 25, opposite Chapel No. 14;
- in Piazza della Basilica, beneath Chapel No. 38.
TOILETS – disabled access
Toilets equipped for disabled access are located
- at the first open space/car park;
- behind Chapel No. 25, opposite Chapel No. 14.
HIKING TRAILS
The Sacro Monte di Varallo is linked by two historic footpaths which allow you to easily reach the monumental complex from Varallo in around 20 minutes:
Madonna delle Grazie Footpath: this is the historic route starting from the church of the Madonna delle Grazie, the town’s most iconic monument with its imposing wall frescoed by Gaudenzio Ferrari in 1513.
Madonna del Cuore Footpath: this alternative route, set amongst greenery, takes its name from the small church situated along the climb, from which you can see the historic centre of Varallo with its characteristic stone-slab roofs.
For lovers of walking and nature, a number of paths branch off around the Sacro Monte di Varallo, leading easily to the heights overlooking the town of Varallo with panoramic views of the Alps, Monte Rosa, Valsesia and Val Mastallone; the most picturesque of these is Father Gallino’s path:
http://www.caivarallo.it/valsesia/sentieri-valsesia/sentieri-valsesia-dettaglio.php?sentiero=275
Info
http://www.atlvalsesiavercelli.it/itinerari
http://www.caivarallo.it/valsesia/sentieri-valsesia/sentieri-valsesia.php
Nine itineraries around Varallo:
http://www.comune.varallo.vc.it/Home/Guida-al-paese?IDPagina=16395&IDCat=2512
The Sacred Mount of Varallo is one of the stops on the Devoto Cammino dei Sacri Monti (Pilgrimage Route of the Sacred Mountains), details of which can be found in the relevant section of this website at https://www.sacrimonti.org/en/devoto-cammino
WI-FI
There is a free Wi-Fi hotspot in Piazza Giovanni Paolo II
Local Tourist Info
Tourist Office ATL Valsesia Vercelli corso Roma, 38 - 13019 Varallo (VC)
Tel. +39 0163 564404
E-mail: info@atlvalsesiavercelli.it
www.atlvalsesiavercelli.it
