Holiday apartment in Madonna Del Sasso: culture, panoramic views and hiking trails
Accommodation in Madonna Del Sasso
Madonna Del Sasso combines religious buildings, regional craft history and a trail through chestnut forests. At its center is the Santuario della Madonna del Sasso, perched on a rocky outcrop. From there, panoramic views extend across Lake Orta and the mountains on the eastern shore.
The Santuario and the views over Lake Orta
The present-day complex of the Santuario della Madonna del Sasso, with its church, bell tower and hermit's house, was built in the first half of the 18th century. From the rocky outcrop, views open out over Lake Orta as far as the mountains on the eastern shore. The Santuario's architecture and frescoes are the work of the Valsesian painter and architect Lorenzo Peracino.
Frescoes and churches in Artò
In Artò, a large 16th-century fresco can be found on the small square in the center. It is attributed to Bailetti, a student of Gandenzio Ferrari from Valduggia, and depicts Mary with the Child between Saints Giulio, Rocco, Sebastiano and Stefano. In front of Artò's parish church, the small square also serves as a viewpoint from which part of the lake can be seen.
The Chiesa Parrocchiale in Artò is dedicated to San Bernardino da Siena. It was built at the end of the 15th century and completed in its present form over the following centuries.
Centonara between the oratory and craft history
Centonara is home to the old Santa Maria Maddalena Oratory. It dates from around 1300 and today features decoration from the 16th century. Centonara is also home to the old hemp mill, which was built in 1870 and remained in operation until the 1930s.
On the third Sunday in July, Centonara celebrates its patronal feast in honor of Santa Maria Maddalena.
The Museo dello Scalpellino in Boleto
The Museo dello Scalpellino in Boleto is part of the Ecomuseo del Lago d’Orta e Mottarone network. It documents the historical life and work experiences of the inhabitants of Madonna del Sasso. The exhibition includes tools, artifacts and documents, as well as videos and historical and iconographic research on the craft of stonecutting.
Hiking trails through chestnut forests
The Santuario della Madonna del Sasso is the destination of the Le Valli della Fede hiking trail. This trail connects smaller pilgrimage sanctuaries in the central and eastern Biellese area with Lake Orta. From the Santuario, the signposted Sentiero degli scalpellini also leads downhill through chestnut forests and continues along an old mule track. The downhill section can therefore be deliberately included as a separate hiking stage when planning the day.
Other places to include in your travel plans
For further discoveries in the wider travel region, visit Gignese, Verbania, Cresseglio, Stresa, Vogogna, San Bernardino Verbano, Traffiume and Someraro.
For the broader travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.
