Cloister of the Ancient Basilica (1600/1650)Santuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The Upper Basilica and its treasures
The Upper Basilica is a building of monumental proportions and yet in harmony with the encircling mountains. The necessity to erect a new church, due the growing number of pilgrims flowing to the Sanctuary, was felt as early as the 17th century, when a number of projects concerning the expansion were discussed by the authorities. At the end of the 19th century the project, elaborated a century before by the architect Ignazio Amedeo Galletti (1726 -1791), was approved. In an effort to accommodate the expansion of the Sanctuary to the north, the Oropa torrent was deviated in order to provide the necessary terrain for construction. The first stone was laid in 1885 but the work, involving numerous and qualified professionals, proceeded with great difficulty during the two World Wars. The cupola, of eighty meters of height, was meant to be the crown of the imposing monument which was consecrated in 1960.
Project for the Upper Basilica (1846/1847) by Luigi CaninaSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Among the projects presented for the construction of the Upper Basilica, there was that of Luigi Canina (1795-1856), who was inspired by the Basilica of San Paolo outside the walls in Rome
Project for the Upper Basilica (1846/1847) by Luigi CaninaSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The model, made in Rome in 1846-47, was brought by ship to Turin and then to Oropa. The project was not chosen for its classic references, in contrast with the Eclecticism of the time
Ciborium (1966) by Gio PontiSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The main altar, positioned at the centre of a smaller hall, is surmounted by an aerial ciborium, a modern piece of artwork by the Milanese artist Gio Ponti.
The ciborium is a complex three-dimensional structure 16 metres high similar to a crystal
Painting of the Chapel Divina Maternitas - central panel (1944) by Giovanni BevilacquaSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The chapels inside the Basilica are dedicated to the Mysteries of the Virgin Mary. The first to be completed was the chapel of the "Divina Maternitas" by Giovanni Bevilacqua in 1944.
In the central panel, the Nativity of Jesus
Painting of the Chapel Divina Maternitas - lateral panel (1944) by Giovanni BevilacquaSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
In the first panel on the left, the theme is introduced by the depiction of the prophet Micah, who heralded the birth of the Messiah in the city of Bethlehem
Painting of the Chapel Divina Maternitas - lateral panel (1944) by Giovanni BevilacquaSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The Annunciation
Painting of the Chapel Divina Maternitas - lateral panel on the right (1944) by Giovanni BevilacquaSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The Adoration of the Magi (the three Wise Men)
Painting of the Chapel Divina Maternitas - lateral panel (1944) by Giovanni BevilacquaSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The Massacre of the Innocents
Painting of the Chapel Mater Mediatrix - central panel (1953) by Silvio ConsadoriSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The second chapel to be completed was the "Mater Mediatrix" by Silvio Consadori in 1953.
The chapel is dedicated to the intercessory role of the Virgin Mary between Christ and Humanity
The central panel is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary
Painting of the Chapel Mater Mediatrix - panel on the right (1953) by Silvio ConsadoriSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
In the side panels there are Gospel episodes and historical events in which the Virgin intercedes for the humanity in difficulty.
A scene is inspired by the battle of Lepanto, won by the Christian fleet against the Turks in 1571
Our Lady of the Rosary appears to prisoners. The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, formerly known as Our Lady of Victory is celebrated on 7 October, the anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto.
Painting of the Chapel Mater Mediatrix - lateral panel (1953) by Silvio ConsadoriSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The vow made by the inhabitants of Biella following the plague of 1599
To fulfill the vow, the inhabitants went to Oropa in procession. The Ancient Basilica was then built and in 1620 the solemn coronation of staue of the Black Madonna was held
Painting of the Chapel Mater Mediatrix - lateral panel on the left (1953) by Silvio ConsadoriSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The Cana wedding
Painting of the Chapel Mater Mediatrix - lateral panel (1953) by Silvio ConsadoriSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Due to the high degree of humidity, part of the frescoes had suffered significant discoloration
Painting of the Chapel Virginitas Perpetua - central panel (1975) by Mario Caffaro-RoreSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The chapels of the "Virginitas Perpetua" and "Deipara Corredemptrix" were made by Mario Caffaro Rore in 1975. The paintings were made with the technique of acrylic tempera on aluminum panels
The Marriage of the Virgin
Painting of the Chapel Virginitas Perpetua - lateral panel on the right (1975) by Mario Caffaro-RoreSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The flight into Egypt.
The iconographic theme of Mary's perpetual virginity is linked to the Chapel of "Divina Maternitas" by Bevilacqua.
Painting of the Chapel Virginitas Perpetua - lateral panel on the left (1975) by Mario Caffaro-RoreSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Painting of the Chapel Virginitas Perpetua - lateral panel (1975) by Mario Caffaro-RoreSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Painting of the Chapel Virginitas Perpetua - lateral panel (1975) by Mario Caffaro-RoreSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Painting of the Chapel Deipara corredemptrix - central panel (1979) by Mario Caffaro-RoreSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The decorations of the chapel "Deipara Corredemptrix" illustrate the Virgin's faculty to intervene in humanity's destiny of redemption
Painting of the Chapel Deipara corredemptrix - panel on the left (1979) by Mario Caffaro-RoreSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Painting of the Chapel Deipara corredemptrix - lateral panel (1979) by Nicola ArduinoSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Mary at the foot of the Cross
Painting of the Chapel Deipara corredemptrix - panel on the right (1979) by Mario Caffaro-RoreSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Painting of the Chapel Deipara corredemptrix - lateral panel (1979) by Mario Caffaro-RoreSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
