It is surprising that it is still little known despite its beauty. This complex, just under an hour from Milan, is the perfect place to be amazed by the intertwining of nature and architecture without straying too far from the city. Romantic, evocative, and with a thousand-year history behind it, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, it could be your next destination for an unforgettable day just outside Milan.
Museum houses and historic crypts: here’s what to see
Sacro Monte di Varese is a place suspended in the clouds and is part of a group of nine Sacred Mountains located between Piedmont and Lombardy. On the mountain is a complex of 14 chapels that wind their way up the slopes of Monte Velate for about 2 km. The Chapel Trail is a pleasant walk, often offering breathtaking views of Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, and the Lombardy plain. The last stop on the trail is the village of Santa Maria del Monte, where the panoramic view will make you forget the (little) effort it took to get there.
Located within the Campo dei Fiori Regional Park, the Sacred Mountain of Varese is home to several places of worship that can also be visited by non-believers. Among these is Casa Pogliaghi, the home of Lodovico Pogliaghi, who, among his many works, also created the main door of Milan Cathedral. The house is a work of art that preserves other works of art within it: a rich archaeological collection ranging from the Egyptian to the Etruscan and Greco-Roman worlds. Another unmissable gem is the Crypt of the Sanctuary, where an entire corridor has yielded the remains of an 8th-9th century funeral oratory.
💸Cost? Free , except for the museums, which can be booked on this website.
📍How to reach the top? On foot or by funicular (return ticket €3.20).
A brief historical overview
The history of Sacro Monte di Varese began in the 4th century when, according to legend, Saint Ambrose built a small chapel on Mount Orona to thank the Virgin Mary after his victory against the Arians, the first place dedicated to the Virgin north of Milan. Subsequently, a village sprang up around it with houses for priests and hostels for pilgrims. In 1605, Cardinals Carlo and Federico Borromeo began construction of the Fabbrica del Santissimo Rosario, whose 13 chapels of the Via Sacra were completed in 1623.
Varese: other activities and how to get there from Milan
Varese is a beautiful city not far from Milan and easily accessible by train from Milan. The “garden city” is home to many wonders, often forgotten by those who live nearby or overlooked by tourists, such as Palazzo and Giardini Estensi, a former Baroque ducal residence complete with Schönbrunn-style gardens and fountains, or Villa Panza, a 19th-century villa that houses a large collection of contemporary art.
Finally, to round off a magical day, why not stop at the splendid Casa Cardinale Ildefonso Schuster for a candlelit concert? A magical event that aims to amaze every participant and could be the perfect end to a wonderful day.
🚆From Milan, Varese can be reached by train, including direct trains, in about 1 hour at a cost of around €5, or by car in 50-60 minutes via the A8 (65 km).