The Sacro Monte of Varese

Monumentality and Landscape

The processional way of the Sacro Monte of Varese runs along the slopes of Mount Velate, in a scenic location with stunning panoramic views on the pre-alpine lakes and the plains. The Via Sacra (Sacred Route) was built between 1604 and 1698, on the initiative of Capuchin father Giovanni Battista Aguggiari, who suggested the construction of a series of fourteen chapels that represented the sequence of the Rosary, in close relation with the pre-existing Marian Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Monte. Architect Giuseppe Bernascone, also known as "Il Mancino", designed the entire complex: the route, chapels, arches and fountains. The underlying unity and monumentality of his design made the complex the most coherent of all Sacri Monti from an architectural point of view. Many important artists from Lombardy worked at the Sacro Monte of Varese, such as the Morazzone, Francesco Silva, the Recchi brothers, Dionigi Bussola and Stefano Maria Legnani also known as "il Legnanino". In 1983, Italian artist Renato Guttuso painted a contemporary version of the Flight into Egypt on the outer wall of the chapel of the Nativity (no. 3). The upward cobblestone path ends in the small village of Santa Maria del Monte, that is characterized by its peculiar covered roads and the presence of the ancient monastery of the Romite Ambrosiane. Near the monastery it is also possible to visit the Baroffio Museum and the Pogliaghi House-Museum. A particularly evocative way to reach the Sacro Monte is through the funicular railway, built in 1909 and restored a few years ago.

Info utili

How to get

To Varese

By plane: Milano Malpensa and Milano Linate
By train: Trenitalia Milano Porta Garibaldi - Varese; Trenord Milano Cadorna - Varese Nord; TILO Malpensa - Varese
By car: Motorway A8 “Milano-Laghi”, direction Varese, exit Varese; from Como: SS342 direction Varese; from Piedmont: Motorway A26 - connection to Motorway A8 - direction Varese, exit Varese; from Lugano (CH): through Ponte Tresa, Tresa pass, follow SS233 direction Varese

To the Sacro Monte

By bus: line C Bizzozero-Sacro Monte
With GPS: Varese, Piazzale Pogliaghi (top of Santa Maria del Monte), or Varese Via Prima Cappella-Piazzale Montanari (beginning of Viale delle Cappelle)
On foot: Via Sacra: 2 kms along the 14 chapels of the Sacred Mount up to the Sanctuary

Tourist services

Road

The Via Sacra starts at the first chapel at the Centro Espositivo Monsignor Macchi (viale delle Cappelle) where you can park.
The sanctuary can be reached by car and bus up to the parking lots in Piazzale Pogliaghi.

Funicular
The upper part of the Sacro Monte, the small village and the Sanctuary are connected by the Vellone - Santa Maria del Monte funicular railway.

Parking
Near the sanctuary of Santa Maria del Monte, there are parking lots in Piazzale Pogliaghi: from Monday to Friday free of charge; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays for a fee.

Elevator
Near the sanctuary an elevator allows direct access to the church from Via del Ceppo/Viale del Santuario.

Info Point
The Centro Espositivo Monsignor Macchi located next to the first chapel, provides information and brochures:
open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
In addition, at Piazzale Pogliaghi, there is the Campo dei Fiori Nature Park Info Point:
open on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday all day.

Guided Tour

Guided tours to the Sacro Monte of Varese are organized by the Archaeologists association or the tourist guides of the Province of Varese, available for a fee.
For more information: Centro Espositivo Monsignor Macchi, located near the First Chapel.

Audio Guides / App
The SacroMonteVarese App (available for Android on the Google Play Store and for IOS on the Apple Store).
The App can be downloaded for free in Italian, English and French.

Didactics
For information on the educational activities, please contact the Centro Espositivo Monsignor Macchi located near the First Chapel.

Sign Language Guided Tour
For information on the guided tours with sign language, please contact the Centro Espositivo Monsignor Macchi located near the First Chapel.

Congress Room
At the Centro Espositivo Monsignor Macchi near the First Chapel, a large and equipped conference room can be rented for a fee. The room is disabled-friendly.

Restaurants

There are several restaurants near the Sacro Monte where you can appreciate the traditional cuisine.

Picnic Area

A picnic area is located along Via Monte Tre Croci, between Piazzale Pogliaghi and trail No. 10 (Pizzelle).
Consuming food and drinks along the monumental path is forbidden.

Toilets (also for the disabled)

Are located near the sanctuary.

Religious Ceremonies
Sanctuary
Casa Parrocchiale - via Assunzione, 21
Contacts: 0332-229.223
Email: sacromonte@chiesadimilano.it

Opening Hours
Winter time 7.30 am-12.00 am e 2.00 pm - 5.30 pm
Summer time 7.00 am - 12.00 am e 2.00 pm - 6.00 pm

Religious Service Hours
Sanctuary:
Weekends 7.30 am - 9.00 am - 11.00 am; 4.30 pm (from 1st October to 30th April), 5.00 pm (from 1st May to 30th September)
Weekdays 8:00 am e 4.45 pm

Confessions
From 9.30 am to 11.30 am - from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm - e durante le Celebrazioni

Monaster of Romite Ambrosiane
Address: Piazzetta Monastero 3
Contact: + 39 0332 228440

Talk time
9.30 am -12.00 am e 2.00 pm - 6.00 pm

CASA DI SPIRITUALITÀ
Address: Piazza Paolo VI
Contacts: + 39 0332 228440

Opening Hours:
7.00 am -11.50 am e 3.00 pm - 8.30 pm

Religious Service Hours
7.30 am lodi - 8.00 am Mass - 6.00 pm Vespers (Friday at 7.00 pm)

For more information: www.sacromontedivarese.it