The Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso

By admin, 6 May, 2024

The Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso stands on a granite rock rising above the village of Pella and the mirror of Lake Orta at an altitude of 338 meters, in the municipality of Madonna del Sasso, in the village of Boleto in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. From the square in front of the church, called "the balcony of Cusio", there is a breathtaking view of almost the entire lake, Mount Mottarone, the Alps, and the plain towards Novara.

The sanctuary complex consists of the church, the bell tower, and the parish house, built between 1748 and 1760. The architecture and frescoes are the work of the Valsesian artist-architect Lorenzo Peracino. The altarpiece, belonging to an older chapel that previously stood on this site, is the work of the 16th-century artist Fermo Stella da Caravaggio.

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How to get there?

By bus, as suggested by the Rome2Rio website, you can only get as far as Alzo, which is located at the foot of the mountain where Madonna del Sasso stands, and from there you will have to walk up. The road for cars winds its way up from Pella through a series of hairpin bends. When choosing your route, keep in mind that the streets in the village of Arto are narrow.

Where to park?

Parking near the sanctuary is free. By the way, there is also a café, toilets, and a picnic area nearby.

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What else to see?

At the foot of the rock on which the Santuario della Madonna del Sasso stands lies the picturesque town of Pella.

What tourist routes are nearby.

AllTrails offers a moderately difficult hiking trail: Roncallo al Lago - Santuario Madonna del Sasso. The total length of the route is 5.4 km with an elevation gain of 532 meters. It’s a pleasant out-and-back walk starting from Roncallo al Lago, next to the parking lot where you can park your car. The route begins along the provincial road, then follows the Sentiero degli Scalpellini and reaches Madonna del Sasso. Along the way, you can enjoy beautiful views and take stunning photos of the sanctuary and Lake Orta.