Basilica e Sacro Monte di Crea

The Sacred Mount of Crea consists of the Sanctuary, 23 chapels, and five hermitages, and stands on an ancient site of Marian worship. It was built between 1589 and 1612, with a further construction phase in the 1820s. The basilica-like sanctuary is of Romanesque origin, having been remodeled several times over the centuries: the façade is Baroque, while the three-nave interior retains the original layout, albeit adorned with various decorations from later periods. The interior contains important works, including the autograph panel by Macrino d'Alba dated 1503, dedicated to the Madonna and Child with Saints, the 15th-century fresco cycle depicting the Stories of Saint Margaret of Antioch, the 14th-century wooden statue of the Virgin, and the bas-reliefs on the pillars depicting Solomon's Knots, plant motifs, and two winged griffins with stars dating back to the 12th century. The 23 chapels are the result of two construction phases: one dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, the other to the 19th century. The earlier phase is distinguished by complex polychrome terracotta statue groups, almost all by the Flemish artists Giovanni and Nicola De Wespin, known as the Tabacchetti, while the frescoes are attributed mostly to Giorgio Alberini, a follower of Moncalvo. The second phase is marked by much simpler sculptural groups in stucco or plaster and paintings by Brilla, Maggi, Latini, Capra, and Morgari. Among the chapels, Chapel 16, "The Ascent to Calvary," stands out for its artistic value. Built between 1887 and 1889, the sculpture group was created by Leonardo Bistolfi. Of great interest is Chapel 23, "The Coronation of the Virgin, commonly known as Paradise," which dates back to 1598. It is the highest chapel on the Sacro Monte, and inside, groups of hanging figures, frescoed on the vault, triumphant—around 300 in all—the work of De Wespin and assistants. * * * * FREE GUIDED TOURS Starting Saturday, August 3, 2024, free guided tours are scheduled for SATURDAY and SUNDAY at 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM, departing from the tourist information point at the entrance to the Sanctuary square. During the tour, access is planned to Chapel 5, "Nativity of Mary," and Chapel 23, "Coronation of Mary in Heaven" (Chapel of Paradise). * * * * * NEW APP DEDICATED TO THE SACRED MOUNTAINS "App-assionarsi ai Sacri Monti" is the new app downloadable for Android and Apple that will guide tourists through the UNESCO World Heritage sites through interactive multimedia tours. The new audio and video guide to the Sacred Mountains is designed to accompany tourists through the UNESCO sites that unite Varallo, Crea, Orta, Varese, Oropa, Ossuccio, Ghiffa, Domodossola, and Belmonte, spanning the Piedmont and Lombardy regions. The digital format of the Sacred Mountains, created by the Management Body led by President Francesca Giordano with funds from Law 77/2006 of the Ministry of Culture, is constructed with itineraries, graphical, and geographical maps that, thanks to Augmented Reality, allow visitors to enter the Chapels, which house spectacular sculptural and pictorial scenes. The smartphone and tablet app—available for free on Android and Apple platforms—is available in five languages: Italian, French, English, German, and Spanish, and also offers fun quiz games designed for families. Each Sacred Mount offers traditional itineraries that follow the route marked by chapels adorned with sculptural and pictorial masterpieces by the greatest artists from Lombardy and Piedmont, from the Renaissance to the Baroque, from Rococo to Neoclassicism. There are also themed and fun itineraries, allowing young people to discover the Sacred Mounts in an interactive and fun way. * USEFUL ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION* The Sanctuary is accessible to people with physical disabilities. The Devotional Path is partially accessible to people with physical disabilities. The Chapels are not accessible: the sculptural groups are visible from the outside.