Discovering the Sacro Monte of Varese: a naturalistic itinerary between art and spirituality

In a previous article, we told you about the thousand reasons why it is worth living in Varese. Its social life, full of events and activities, combined with the efficient infrastructure network and extensive health services of excellence, make the 'little Versailles' (as Varese was called by Leopardi) a perfect place to buy a home. However, we have also told you about the wonderful green spaces of Varese and the possibility of getting away from city traffic to enjoy numerous naturalistic routes with the whole family.

Speaking of naturalistic trails, do you know the Sacro Monte in Varese? It is located on the slopes of the Flower Park and since 2003 has been a site recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The Sacro Monte of Varese consists of a devotional path that climbs to the summit of the village of Santa Maria del Monte by passing through 14 chapels. Such a Sacred Way consists of a two-kilometer cobblestone road that can only be traveled by foot.

The Sacro Monte of Varese is undoubtedly one of the naturalistic trails not to be missed around the Lombard city to live a day in the name of art, spirituality or simply immersed in nature. Arrived at the top, along a cobbled path of 2 kilometers you can admire the small village of Santa Maria del Monte, with its Sanctuary whose altar represents the fifteenth mystery (because the path tells the Mysteries of the Rosary), the Crypt Romanesque, House Museum Pogliaghi and Museum Baroffio.

Along the way there are numerous fountains with drinking water. And in fact it is the water the element that accompanies the walkers along this experience in contact with the nature. So much so that Alfa Varese, the company that manages the Water Service Integrated in the Province of Varese, organizes several free guided tours to discover the waters of the Sacro Monte. It starts from the district of Velate and goes up the course of the Vellone, up to the source of the
Ceppo and then to the village of Santa Maria. 

A naturalistic path for walking along one of the most evocative trails of the Campo dei Fiori Park and to admire unusual views of Sacro Monte, accompanied by the sound of water.

The Sacred Mountain of Varese fully reflects the idea according to which a Sacro Monte must be located in a natural environment of significant landscape interest, on a hill where there is a centuries-old tradition of pilgrimages and testimonies of faith. Here, nature lovers can satisfy their craving for beauty and relaxation. The landscape of Mount Orona (or Monte of Velate), located within the Campo dei Fiori Regional Park, along the slopes of which there is the more than two-kilometre-long cobbled road that touches the 14 chapels, is typical of the Varese Pre-Alps, with immense beech, chestnut and hazelnut forests. The high ground (centuries before the start, in 1605, of the Fabbrica del Santissimo Rosary) had been a witness of important manifestations of faith, the origin of which goes beyond in the legend.