Sacred Mount Madonna del Sasso, Orselina, Locarno

Santuario della Madonna del Sasso, Via Santuario, Orselina, Switzerland

Website of the Sanctuary

+41 91 743 62 65

The Sanctuary is opened to the public:: 07.00 - 18.30

The Sacred Mount Madonna del Sasso in Orselina

The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso pilgrimage church above Locarno is preceded by a large square from which you can see the deep valley and the wild. Next to the church, a porch allows you to enjoy a fantastic view over Locarno, the lake and the surrounding mountains.

The Sacred Mount Madonna del Sasso in Orselina is one of the most important religious and historical sites in the canton of Ticino.

Tradition says that Fra ‘ Bartolomeo, a Franciscan friar of the convent of Locarno, wanted to build a place of worship on the “Rock ” of Locarno as a result of an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Today it consists of the Church of the Annunciation at the foot of the Mount, the Via Crucis and the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso, the Sacred Mountain is a wealth of art, history and spirituality.

History

According to tradition, the sanctuary was founded by the Franciscan brother of the monastery of Locarno Bartolomeo Piatti from Ivrea, where in 1480 on the eve of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (August 15) miraculously appeared to him. On the top of the hill were built the two first chapels, dedicated in 1487 to the Virgin. At the foot of the hill, the Church of the Annunciation consecrated in 1502. The building complex developed mainly during the 17th century with the construction of the chapels of the Sacro Monte and the structural alterations of the Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary

The sanctuary is made up of various elements that have evolved and changed over time. The pilgrimage church of the Assumption, called Madonna del Sasso, and the monastery with a small museum stand on a spectacular rock spur leading to two paths. From the Church of the Annunciation, the Via Crucis, with its Stations of the Cross decorated with cast-iron bas-reliefs, leads up to the Madonna del Sasso.

Although various elements no longer exist, the building complex has retained its importance and is today an important and valuable convent seat of the Capuchins, Holy Mountain and place of worship and devotion to Mary.

In addition to the statue of the Madonna and Child of the late 15th century, the Sanctuary contains interesting statue work and 17th-century paintings, notable works by artists such as Bernardino de Conti, Bramantino and Antonio Ciseri, as well as a rich collection of votive paintings. The building complex also features interesting groups of Renaissance wooden statues such as the Entombment of the Maestro of Santa Maria Maggiore (formerly in the church of San Francesco in Locarno) and the altarpiece “Pietà” of the brothers Giovan Pietro and Giovan Ambrogio De Donati. The Church of the Annunciation has significant frescoes from the 16th century, some of which were discovered during the restoration.

How to get there:

From the center of Locarno you reach the beginning of the old access road. From here the crossway starts, a path surrounded by a charming natural scenery, rich in artistic and picturesque chapels that climbs up to the top of the rock outcrop where you can find the beautiful Sanctuary; recently restored. The Holy Mountain is also reachable by funicular Locarno- Madonna del Sasso. Being in close proximity to the base station of the cable car, Orselina- Cardada- Cimetta, the Sacred Mountain can also represent the starting point for a hike in the mountains.

By foot
The Sacro Monte is reachable on foot, starting from the city of Locarno or Muralto, following the indicated routes (journey time about 30 minutes) or descending from Orselina (5 minutes). The availability of parking at the Sacro Monte, in the territory of Orselina is limited, therefore it is recommended to use public transport.

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By Funicular Railway
The Locarno-Madonna del Sasso Funicular Railway, starting near the Locarno railway station, allows you to easily reach the Sacro Monte through an intermediate stop, with departures every 15 minutes.

Mass times

Sundays and holidays

  • 7.15
  • 10.00
  • 11.00 Mass in German
  • 16.15 Eucharistic adoration with Vespers and Rosary
  • 17.00

Weekdays

  • 7.00
  • 7.45
  • 16.30 Rosary
  • 17.00

Source:

www.ticino.ch
www.madonnadelsasso.org

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

From the center of Locarno you reach the beginning of the old access road. From here the crossway starts, a path surrounded by a charming natural scenery, rich in artistic and picturesque chapels that climbs up to the top of the rock outcrop where you can find the beautiful Sanctuary; recently restored.

The availability of parking at the Sacro Monte, in the territory of Orselina is limited, therefore it is recommended to use public transport.

The Holy Mountain is also reachable by funicular Locarno- Madonna del Sasso. Being in close proximity to the base station of the cable car, Orselina- Cardada- Cimetta, the Sacred Mountain can also represent the starting point for a hike in the mountains.

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

Sundays and holidays

  • 7.15
  • 10.00
  • 11.00 Mass in German
  • 16.15 Eucharistic adoration with Vespers and Rosary
  • 17.00

Weekdays

  • 7.00
  • 7.45
  • 16.30 Rosary
  • 17.00

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

The Sanctuary

The sanctuary is made up of various elements that have evolved and changed over time. The pilgrimage church of the Assumption, called Madonna del Sasso, and the monastery with a small museum stand on a spectacular rock spur leading to two paths. From the Church of the Annunciation, the Via Crucis, with its Stations of the Cross decorated with cast-iron bas-reliefs, leads up to the Madonna del Sasso.

Sacred Mount Madonna del Sasso, Orselina, Locarno - History, Church Mass times

Although various elements no longer exist, the building complex has retained its importance and is today an important and valuable convent seat of the Capuchins, Holy Mountain and place of worship and devotion to Mary.

Sacred Mount Madonna del Sasso, Orselina, Locarno - History, Church Mass times

In addition to the statue of the Madonna and Child of the late 15th century, the Sanctuary contains interesting statue work and 17th-century paintings, notable works by artists such as Bernardino de Conti, Bramantino and Antonio Ciseri, as well as a rich collection of votive paintings. The building complex also features interesting groups of Renaissance wooden statues such as the Entombment of the Maestro of Santa Maria Maggiore (formerly in the church of San Francesco in Locarno) and the altarpiece “Pietà” of the brothers Giovan Pietro and Giovan Ambrogio De Donati. The Church of the Annunciation has significant frescoes from the 16th century, some of which were discovered during the restoration.

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

History

According to tradition, the sanctuary was founded by the Franciscan brother of the monastery of Locarno Bartolomeo Piatti from Ivrea, where in 1480 on the eve of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (August 15) miraculously appeared to him. On the top of the hill were built the two first chapels, dedicated in 1487 to the Virgin. At the foot of the hill, the Church of the Annunciation consecrated in 1502. The building complex developed mainly during the 17th century with the construction of the chapels of the Sacro Monte and the structural alterations of the Sanctuary.

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

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