|
Already
in the 15th century S. Maria del Monte (Our Lady of the Mount) was object of pilgrimage, and since 1474 a cloister for enclosed nuns.
Two hundred years later, father Aguggiari founded the workshop, projected by Bernasconi,  to build the Chapels of the Rosary.
Today they are the City of Varese's most treasured possessions, not only for their religious
significance, but also for their
historical and artistic value. Fourteen chapels, dedicated to the mysteries of life, passion, death and resurrection of Christ,
theatrically painted tabernacles from the 17th century, contain different and colored
life-size terracotta figures. After a chapel
dedicated to the immaculate conception, decorated with 17th century figures and frescos, and after the First Arch, dedicated to the Rosario,
and the fountain of the Samaritan, commence the Five Chapels of the Majestic Mysteries (from the Annunciation to the Dispute with the
Doctors). After the Second Arch dedicated to San Carlo (who saw the mountain in 1578) and a second fountain, are the chapels
of the Mysteries of Sorrow (from the Address in the orchard to the Crucifixion), with the Grotto of the saints Caterina and
Giuliana
between. Finally comes the Third Arch dedicated to the bishop and patron of Milan, St. Ambrogio, with the third fountain followed
by the chapels of the Glorious Mysteries (from the Resurrection to the Ascension), interrupted by a twelfth and incomplete
chapel.
The most famous of these chapel is the seventh one, with frescos by Morazzone. Of a total of fourteen, the last of the
chapels of the Glorious Mysteries, the sanctuary of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Monte, is consecrated.
The building dates back to the Middle Age district, and conserves under the presbytery a crypt from the year one thousand.
The Sacred Mount of Varese is situated at only 8 km from the town: the best itinerary is that of the Sacred Way, that goes up
as delicate winding road for 2 km. It start from the locality "Prima Cappella" (First Chapel), to the 800 meters of the sanctuary, situated in
the village of Santa Maria del Monte, a panoramic balcony on the Po plain and on the Varese's, Comabbio's, Maggiore lakes.
|
