RISERVA del SACRO MONTE della S.S. TRINITA' di GHIFFA
 Designated a
Special Natural Reserve in 1987, the
Sacro Monte dates back to the 17th century and extends over an area of 198
hectares.
It was San Carlo Borromeo
who chose this location for the sanctuary, intending to construct a Sacro Monte
over the remains of an ancient church that once stood there; in reality only
three chapels were ever built around the nucleus of the shrine and not until
1987 did the local administration finally decide to restore the
monument.
Its architect unknown,
the complex recalls the Borromean conception and the style of Lombard Sacri
Monti, with a series of votive chapels placed along paved paths winding through
a woods of broadleaf trees, predominately chestnut, although oak, linden, maple
and birch are also abundant.
The
special nature reserve includes not only the Sacro Monte SS. Trinità but also a
large area of Monte Cagiago. Visitors are reminded that the sacred edifices can
only be seen accompanied by park personnel while the rest of the reserve, which
also has an outdoor exercise course, is open to the public.
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