BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA DEL MONTE E VIA SACRA
(VARESE)

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.

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