Piemonte Italia

Sacro Monte della SS. Trinita di Ghiffa

A central sanctuary, three chapels, and a long gallery with porticos compose the monumental complex of the little Sacro Monte della Santissima Trinita in Ghiffa on the Piedmont side of Lake Maggiore between Verbania and Oggebbio. Built during the last decade of the 16th century, it was enlarged during the following century as San Carlo Borromeo requested. The three chapels are dedicated to the mystery of Salvation. The chapel which celebrates the Coronation of the Virgin Mary and is closest to the sanctuary has an octagonal layout and an elegant and slender portico. The second chapel dedicated to Saint John the Baptist has an octagonal shape and a surrounding portico while the third chapel, separated from the rest of the complex, is dedicated to the patriarch Abraham, who is represented in one of the four polychrome sculptures inside the chapel. The devotional route dedicated to the Via Crucis was created later –it was started in 1752 – and has a long 14 span portico with the “stations” in the life of Christ.