The spectacular dome of the Basilica represents the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. It was built by the famous Baroque sculptor Dionigi Bussola and a large group of collaborators starting from 1678.
The dome has over one hundred and forty statues and more than five hundred painted cherubs: there are saints, prophets, emperors and many other illustrious figures of the time.
A historical guide to the Sacro Monte published in 1686 says the Fabbrica asked the Valsesian notables to contribute financially to the construction, in exchange they would have a place in ‘Heaven’ in the Basilica. In fact, the faces of some statues are the portraits of the Valsesians who donated to create the dome of the Sacro Monte. Use the 360 to explore the statues in the dome very closely.