Sacro Monte (Sacred Mountain) is the finest example of history and art in the Varese area. It is one of the nine sites known as the Sacri Monti (Sacred Mountains) of Piedmont and Lombardy that were inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in July 2003.
Sacro Monte has always been a place of pilgrimage and popular with other visitors. The Sacro Monte di Varese complex includes Via Sacra (holy road), a cobbled devotional road that passes by fourteen chapels as it climbs the mountain. Skilfully integrated into the surrounding countryside, each chapel is different and dedicated to one of the Mysteries of the Rosary, which are illustrated with sculptures, paintings and frescos.
The end of Via Sacra is marked at the top of the mountain by the Santa Maria del Monte Sanctuary where the Coronation of the Virgin, the fifteenth mystery of the rosary, is represented on the high altar.
The small village on Sacro Monte is still lived in today and charms visitors with its shady, windy lanes, steep steps, lantern-lit archways and many Art Nouveau homes.
The village also has two museums: the Baroffio Museum and Sacro Monte Sanctuary overlooking Varese and the Lodovico Pogliaghi House Museum.

  @dhaidi and @fra.viga

SPECIAL GUIDED TOURS OF THE CONTEMPORARY SACRED MOUNTAIN

August to December 2023

From August until December, Sacro Monte di Varese is dedicating a rich programme of openings and free guided tours to contemporary art.

FULL PROGRAMME OF APPOINTMENTS: "Sacro Monte Contemporaneo"

INFO

ADDRESS: Viale del Santuario - Varese 

OPENING HOURS:

SANCTUARY: 7.30 am - 12.00 pm / 2.00 pm - 5.30 pm 

CRYPT:

From 18 March to 19 November 2023

- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday:  2.00 pm - 6.00 pm

- Saturday, Sunday and holiday: 10.00 am - 6.00 pm 

CRIPTA TICKETS:

• Full price work days: € 7
• Full price holidays: € 10
• Cumulative ticket Casa Museo Lodovico Pogliaghi, Baroffio Museum of the Sanctuary + Crypt of the Sanctuary (validity 6 months): € 15
• Reduced ticket (6-18 years old, groups of more than 10 people, FAI, AMEI members): € 5
• Family ticket (2 adults + 2 or more children): € 20  
• Free ticket: children 0-4 years, disabled, tourist guides in the exercise of the profession, card Abbonamento Musei Lombardia Milano

Tickets also include a visit to the Baroffio Museum and a guided tour of the Crypt on public holidays.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Sacro Monte di Varese can also be reached by the Sacro Monte funicular, which departs from the 'Vellone' station and reaches the village directly: a small paradise of art, faith and nature. 

THE SERVICE IS CURRENTLY NOT ACTIVE. MAY RESUME FROM AUGUST 2023 - INFORMATION TO BE UPDATED...

In addition to the funicular, it will be possible to use the shuttle service, which operates every weekend and on holidays.

Runs every half hour
Departure from Masnago in Piazzale De Gasperi/via Borghi: first ride at 10.10 a.m. and last ride at 6.40 p.m.
Return from Piazzale Pogliaghi, first journey at 10.30 and last at 19.00
Intermediate stops: Sant'Ambrogio in via Virgilio 26; piazzale Montanari, at the foot of via delle Cappelle; piazzale Pogliaghi

 Dog of all sizes allowed in leasch in every area except the crypt in compliance with the hygiene and public safety rules*

*Information by Sacro Monte di Varese. For any other question please check the guidelines of Sacro Monte di Varese

NEI DINTORNI: 

• Casa Museo Lodovico Pogliaghi
• Museo Baroffio
• Campo dei Fiori Regional Park - Natural Parks
• Varese Old Town 
• Valganna
• Amazing views: 4 must see in the province
• The garden town and its Sacro Monte

ATTENTION: FOR ANY TIME CHANGES AND REGULATIONS IN FORCE, PLEASE VISIT THE RELEVANT ORGANISATION'S ONLINE SITE.

Discover our TOURS. 

Plan your stay and your experience in the land of the lakes.