From romantic Lake Orta to stunning Sacro Monte at Varallo (UNESCO)

Just over an hour's drive from Lake Orta and its amazing local Sacro Monte, there’s another treasure to visit: the Sacro Monte at Varallo, pulsing cultural heart of the verdant Valsesia (Province of Vercelli).

  • We will explore: the Sacro Monte at Varallo (UNESCO) and a brief visit of the old town centre (with “Parete Gaudenziana”, if possible).
  • When: the best time is from April to October (better on weekdays!).
  • Where is Varallo: Europe - Northwestern Italy - Piemonte Region - Province of Vercelli - Valsesia (Sesia Valley) - Varallo.
  • Distance from cities: 40 mi. (65 kms) from NOVARA / 72 mi. (115 kms) from COMO / 72 mi. (115 kms) from MILAN / 72 mi. (115 km) from TURIN.
  • Practicalities
  • Your guide: Cosetta Dal Cin, a Licensed Tour Guide and Art Historian, or one of the knowledgeable Tour Guides collaborating with Ortaeoltre.
  • Important: In order to make your experience perfect, we suggest small groups only (max 30 people). Possibility to hire a Guided-Tour system (receivers and disposable earphones).

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An unmissable place for those who love art-history, the “Sacro Monte di Varallo” is located on a rocky hill overlooking the lovely town of Varallo, in Valsesia. It is one of those remarkable "outside-the-territory" sites that Ortaeoltre offers proudly to its travellers; it’s an exciting Full-Day tour, starting and ending on Lake Orta. The journey itself between Orta and Varallo is fairly interesting, and the Guide will be pleased to illustrate the area and the villages you’re passing through, for an all-round experience!
Built from the end of the 15th century onwards, this magnificent architectural complex encompasses more than forty “Cappelle” (chapels) - all beautifully frescoed and decorated with polychrome statues - and a Marian sanctuary overlooking a lovely square flanked by porticoes.
Originally started as a perfect replica of the most visited Christian places in the Holy Land, the Sacro Monte of Varallo was later transformed into a magnificent and vibrant narrative of Jesus’s life and Passion.
The chapels were erected over the centuries on top of the hill dominating Varallo, each of them in a different natural/architectural context according to their title: cool and shady woods for “Nazareth” and “Bethlehem” chapels; a spacious and bright clearing, with porticoes, stairs and trees for Jerusalem; or the elegant but austere square for Pilate's and Herod's courts.
The Complex can be reached via a pleasant 25-minute uphill walk along a cobbled road, or taking a panoramic cable car (the steepest in Europe!), which will take you to the hilltop in a couple of minutes, revealing breathtaking views of Varallo and the whole valley.
Possibility to have lunch in a restaurant inside the complex of Sacro Monte di Varallo (UNESCO).

Back to the town of Varallo, we will pay a brief visit - if possible - to the late-medieval church of Santa Maria delle Grazie with its amazing “Parete Gaudenziana” (Gaudenzio Ferrari’s frescoed wall), and to the lovely old town centre with its traditional craft shops and cafes, and the scenic bridge over the Mastallone stream.

Duration of this tour

This is a Full-Day tour that starts after breakfast and ends mid-afternoon. The distance by car between Lake Orta and Varallo is approx. 1.30 hrs (one way). The guided visit of the Sacro Monte plus a walking tour in town will take 3 hours or more. The exact duration of the whole trip might vary according to the specific interest and time available.
Your local Guide will best advise you on every aspect of this tour!

Possible combinations

The guided tour to the Sacro Monte of Varallo is a Full-Day tour; it could be combined, however, with something else, like a short visit to one of the sites on Lake Orta here presented. The combination of the two Sacri Monti UNESCO (Varallo and Orta) - fairly different in terms of history, subject and location - is also appreciated. It all depends on how much time you wish to spend in Varallo.