The monumental entrance and the walls that enclose the Sacro Monte separate the sacred space from the surrounding area. Until the nineties of the sixteenth century it was quite common to camp near the chapels, sit down and have a snack to recover from the fatigue of the pilgrimage. It was also allowed to sell objects and food to visitors.
Around the end of the sixteenth century, however, this practice started to be criticised by the Church. The intransigent bishop of Novara, Carlo Bascapè, who became responsible for the construction site in 1593, forbade the eating or selling of goods within the walls. Those found to have breached the rules would be fined 10 Scudi.