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Historical-Devotional Itinerary on Foot
- Departure: Belmonte
- Access: From Turin take SS 460 to Rivarolo Canavese (beyond Leinì) and then to Cuorgnè. If you follow SP road 42, you will get in Belmonte. The stretch Turin-Cuorgnè can be gone through by SATTI bus services and railway lines. Tickets and timetables can be found in the departure station.
- Where to sleep:
B & B La Maddalena - Fraz. Ronchi Maddalena, loc. Fantini, 17 - Cuorgnè (TO) - Tel. 0124/68568 - mobile 349/4640393
Albergo Armony - Via Don Minzoni, 4 - Cuorgnè (TO) - Tel. 0124/657452
- Where to eat:
Prascorsano Bar Ristorante - La Società Coop. Via Villa, 23 - Tel. 0124/698135
Buasca - Ristorante Buasca - Fraz. Buasca - Tel. 0124/651115
Cuorgnè - Ramo Verde - Loc. Pedaggio Vl. Dei Mille, 2 - Tel. 0124/657219
Sant’Anna - Via S. Anna, 21 S. Anna - Campore - Tel. 0124/666584
S. Lucia - Loc. S.Lucia 6/B - Tel. 0124/657301
- Walking time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: none
- Advisable season: all year round
On foot
The chapels which form the complex of Sacro Monte di Belmonte were built at the beginning of 18th century. Between 1712 and 1825 the complex was surrounded from a particular kind of atmosphere since it lay on the peak of a hill right behind the Romanesque Sanctuary through a wood of centuries-old oaks and chestnut trees. Visitors will find four different architectural types: the one with an octagonal central base, the one characterized from a rectangular base and polygonal pronaos and apse; the one with a circular base and a rectangular pronaos and finally the one which is characterized from a square base and a rectangular pronaos. The main body houses a statuary group representing the Passion of Jesus Christ.
The itinerary begins from the bar which indicates no access to the cars:
- Chapel nr. 1 - Jesus in front of Pilate
It was built in 1712 and presents a circular base with a rectangular pronaos. The frescoes on the vault are probably by the painter Grosso from Ivrea. They date back to 18th century.
- Chapel nr. 2 - Jesus is sentenced to death
It was built in 1714 and is characterized from a circular base and a rectangular pronaos.
- Chapel nr. 3 - First fall
It was built in 1715 and presents a rectangular base and a pronaos. Its restoration has begun in spring 2002.
- Chapel nr. 4 - Jesus meets Mary
It was built in 1713 and presents a rectangular base and a pronaos.
- Chapel nr. 5 - The Cyrenaic
It was built in 1773 and presents a rectangular base and a pronaos. Frescoes and plaster have been restored.
- Chapel nr. 6 - The Veronica
It is the farthest chapel of the complex. It lies in a wonderful panoramic position and marks the half of the devotional itinerary. It was built in 1712. It was damaged during the centuries and the statuary complex was completely destroyed. At the beginning of this century it became patronage of Avv. Aurelio De Andreis who transformed it into a family chapel by adding an apse with an altar and a little bell-tower.
- Chapel nr. 7 - Second fall
It was begun in 1715 and presents a rectangular base and a pronaos. The building was finished only in 1773. The vault was painted by the painter Grosso from Ivrea in 1773.
- Chapel nr. 8 - The pious women
It presents a circular base and a rectangular pronaos. It was built by the monks of the friary and was ended in 1781 thanks to the contribution of some families. On the vault visitors can see the frescoes dating back to 18th century which were painted by Grosso.
- Chapel nr. 9 - Jesus' third fall
It was built between 1759 and 1765 and presents a circular base and a rectangular pronaos. The statuary group is very different from the other ones since the five statues are of white plaster. In this way they stand out from the dark background.
- Chapel nr. 10 - Jesus is undressed and given gall to drink
It was built together with the previous chapel thanks to the alms given to the Sanctuary. It presents a rectangular base and a pronaos.
- Chapel nr. 11 - the Crucifixion
It was built in 1719 and presents a rectangular base and a pronaos. Frescoes and the chapel itself are under restoration.
- Chapel nr. 12 - Jesus' death on the cross
It is very different from the other ones as far as its position and its form are concerned. It lies over the complex and the Monastery and presents an octagonal central base with an arcade around it. It was built in 1715 by the Comunità di Valperga who supported its restoration after it was damaged in 18th century and in 1825.
- Chapel nr. 13 - the Deposition
It presents a circular base and a rectangular pronaos. It is the last one that tourists will see along the itinerary. It was built only in 1825.
In front of it there is the bronze statue of San Francesco which stands on the highest point of the mountain. It was shaped by Giovanni Vogliazzi from Vercelli and was inaugurated on 3rd July 1960.
Old Pedestrian Road dei Tabernacoli - Percorso del Pellegrino (Pilgrim's Itinerary)
- Access: From Turin take SS 460 to Rivarolo Canavese (beyond Leinì) and to Valperga. The stretch Turin-Valperga can be gone through by SATTI bus services and railway lines. Tickets and timetables can be found in the departure station.
- Departure: Valperga, Parish church
- Difference in height: 321 meters above-sea level (Valperga 385 meters above-sea level – Belmonte 706 meters above-sea level).
- Where to sleep:
Cuorgnè - B & B La Maddalena - Fraz. Ronchi Maddalena, loc. Fantini, 17 - Tel. 0124/68568 mobile 349/4640393
Albergo Armony – Via Don Minzoni, 4 - Tel. 0124/657452
Rivarolo - Albergo Europa - vl. Losego - Tel. 0124/25872
Albergo La Pista - c. Indipendenza, 74 - Tel. 0124/428927
- Where to eat:
Prascorsano Bar Ristorante - La Società Coop. Via Villa, 23 - Tel. 0124/698135
Buasca - Ristorante Buasca - Fraz. Buasca - Tel. 0124/651115
Cuorgnè - Ramo Verde - Loc. Pedaggio Vl. Dei Mille, 2 - Tel. 0124/657219
Sant’Anna - Via S. Anna, 21 - S. Anna - Campore - Tel. 0124/666584
S. Lucia - Loc. S.Lucia 6/B Tel. 0124/657301
Valperga - Soc. Coop. Agric. Oper. Fraz. Gallenca - Tel. 0124/617205
Isola di Filippo.C via P. Grosso, 23 - Tel. 0124 617105
- Walking time: about 1 hour
- Difficulty: easy
- Advisable season: all year round
On Foot
It is a beautiful itinerary on foot. On 17th August it houses a show for the inhabitants of Valperga and for tourists. Departure from the Parish church (for infos ask Don Catti by calling 0124 617174 ) through the L’Antica Via pedonale (the old pedestrian road), the so-called Via dei Tabernacoli or Percorso del Pellegrino (Pilgrim's itinerary).
The itinerary begins by going through an old arcade, then tourists will go through some silent and steep narrow streets leading to the medieval church of San Giorgio (which is described in the section dealing with Points of Interest) and to Castello dei Conti di Valperga. Beyond the little church of Sant’Apollonia tourists will reach the Sanctuary.
The steps of the itinerary are signaled by the Mysteries of the Rosary which are painted on 15 Pillars dating back to 1880.
The Pillars were built by parish priests and rich families who welcomed the idea of the Canon Giuseppe Borrone di Salassa.
The Samaritan Chapel which is situated not very far from the Sanctuary welcomed pilgrims in its large lobby. Unfortunately, the statues which were once housed in the lobby were damaged and the lobby is now completely empty.
Not far from it, tourists reach the square in front of the Sanctuary of Belmonte.
Another Itinerary in Belmonte Reserve (minor itinerary)
- Departure: Piandane, 491 meters above-sea level
- Arrival: Sanctuary of Belmonte, 726 meters above-sea level
- Difference in height: 235 meters
- Length: about 35 / 45 minutes
- Difficulty: none.
- Access: From Turin take S.S. 460 to Rivarolo Canavese and Valperga (beyond Leinì). Take the road to Pertusio and turn right to Piandane. Reach frazione Riborgo and at the sign “Piandane“ turn right leaving the pillar on the left (the parking area is very small).
- Slope: Not far from a vineyard on the right you will see an uphill path with a red and a blue arrows.
After some hairpin bends you will see a water tank, turn left leaving the vineyards on the right. Then you find a crossing, by turning on the left it is possible to reach Pemonte while on the left it is possible to reach the town of Remondata. Lastly, by going straight forward you can reach Belmonte. In this way it is possible to reach the last stretch of the pedestrian road to Belmonte in order to reach the Sanctuary.
- Descent: it is the same itinerary as it was for the slope. Otherwise, once you get to the crossing, it is possible to reach frazione Pemonte. When you are in Pemonte, go ahead up to Piandane.
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The Slope from loc. Bettolino to the 15th century Tower
- Departure: Bettolino, 377 meters above-sea level
- Arrival: Torre Cives, 581 meters above-sea level
- Difference in height: 204 meters
- Difficulty: none
- Where to eat:
Vidracco - Bar trattoria Tel. 0125/789151
Agriturismo "Il Tiglio di Pan" - Via vespia, 7 - Tel. 0125/789702
Castellamonte - Bar pizzeria Fast Pizza & Lunch Strada Bairo, 3 - Tel. 0124/582346
Castellamonte - Ristorante il Valentino - Strada per C.vo Nigra, 21 - Tel. 0124/515476
Castellamonte - Ristorante + Albergo
Tre Re - Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 27 - Tel. 0124/515470
Da Davide - Via M. D’Azeglio, 47 - Tel. 0124/515474
Del Teatro - Via G. Romana, 2 - Tel. 0124/515462
- Walking time: about 1.30 hour
- Access: From Turin take S.S. 460 to Rivarolo Canavese. Follow indications to Ivrea on S.S. 565. Turn right to Baldissero Canavese. At a crossing near a cemetery turn left to reach Baldissero canavese. Turn right at the crossing to Valchiusella in Bettolino. After about 100 metres turn left in via Vespiolla. On the right it is possible to leave the car.
- Slope: On the right take a narrow road which becomes a small path. After 15 minutes the path moves from the eastern side to the western one. From here it is possible to see the villages of Vespia, Campo, and Muriaglio. After a short descent towards the side of Baldissero (near Pramarzo) follow a path in the direction under the Tower. By following some blue arrows it is possible to reach the Tower, from here you can enjoy a beautiful view of the valley.
- Descent: it is the same itinerary as it was for the slope.
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