The sacred Mount of Oropa - part II
A journey into a sacred landscape made of art, sculpture and nature - Part II
Annunciation
The 6th chapel was commissioned by the Communities of Candelo and Cossato.
Chapel of the Annunciation (1659/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. AuregioSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The scene, extremely simple, features the Madonna on her knees, on whom the Holy Spirit descends in the shape of a dove, accompanied by the Archangel Gabriel seating on a mound of clouds
Chapel of the Annunciation (1659/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. AuregioSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Archangel Gabriel and God Father in the clouds
Visitation
The 7th chapel was built by the Community of Occhieppo Superiore
Chapel of the Visitation of S. Elisabetta (1620/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. AuregioSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Mary visits her relative Elizabeth; they are both pregnant. Mary is pregnant with Jesus and Elizabeth is pregnant with John the Baptist
Chapel of the Visitation of S. Elisabetta (1620/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. AuregioSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Joyous embrace of the two women. St. Zachary welcomes his guests on the threshold of the house
Chapel of the Visitation of S. Elisabetta (1620/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. AuregioSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Triumph of angels
Nativity of Jesus
The 8th chapel was commissioned by the shepherds of the valley of Oropa, whose choice of subject was directly connected with the pastoral world. Lacking the necessary funds they pleaded for help to the Duke Carlo Emanuele II, who financed part of the construction
Chapel of the Birth of N.S.Jesus Christ (1620/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The scene is an extraordinary life-size nativity, one of the most ancient in the region. The statues represent the Baby, the Madonna, St. Joseph, the ox, the donkey, 2 angels and 2 shepherds kneeling
Chapel of the Birth of N.S.Jesus Christ (1620/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Baby Jesus, the ox and the donkey
Chapel of the Birth of N.S.Jesus Christ (1620/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The angels, suspended on terracotta clouds, play musical intruments
Chapel of the Birth of N.S.Jesus Christ (1620/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The background painting were made by the painter Galliari
Purification of Mary / Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
The 9th chapel was made by the Communities of Vigliano and Valdengo
Chapel of Purification of Mary (1620/1720) by Sculptors: B. Termine, P.G. AuregioSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Mary and Joseph take the Infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to complete Mary's ritual purification after childbirth
Chapel of Purification of Mary (1620/1720) by Sculptors: B. Termine, P.G. AuregioSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Prophet Anna
Chapel of Purification of Mary (1620/1720) by Sculptors: B. Termine, P.G. AuregioSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Glory
Marriage at Cana
The 10th chapel was commissioned by the Community of Lessona, whose choice for main decorative subject fell on one of the Mysteries of the Rosary connected to their vineyard work
Chapel of the Wedding at Cana in Galilea (1620/1720) by Sculptor: Giovanni D'EnricoSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Jesus and his mother are invited to a wedding, and when the wine runs out, Jesus delivers a sign of his glory by turning water into wine
Chapel of the Wedding at Cana in Galilea (1620/1720) by Sculptor: Giovanni D'EnricoSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
An old banquet guest is turning to admire the prodigy
Chapel of the Wedding at Cana in Galilea (1620/1720) by Sculptor: Giovanni D'EnricoSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
A group of musicians, playing from a rostrum supported by three corbels shaped as caryatids, enliven the company
Assumption of Mary
The 11th chapel was made by the Community of Mosso. This chapel is amongst the finest of the complex, presenting a circular ground plan encircled by a porch
Chapel of the Assumption of Maria Santissima (1620/1720) by Sculptors: Agostino Silva di Como, P.G. AuregioSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Triumph of the cherubs encircles the Virgin in heaven
Chapel of the Assumption of Maria Santissima (1620/1720) by Sculptors: Agostino Silva di Como, P.G. AuregioSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The apostles surrounding the empty sepulchre
Chapel of the Assumption of Maria Santissima (1620/1720) by Sculptors: Agostino Silva di Como, P.G. AuregioSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The apostles in front of the empty sepulchre
Coronation of Mary / Paradise
The 12th chapel, made by the City of Biella, is the largest of the complex and contains the highest number of statues (more than 200), as well as the finest
Chapel of the Coronation of Virgin Mary (of Heaven) (1621/1653) by Sculptors: Giovanni D'Enrico, Giacomo FerroSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The characters of the Old testament, Adam and Eve, are caught with enraptured eyes and outstretched arms in contemplation of the Coronation of the Virgin
Chapel of the Coronation of Virgin Mary (of Heaven) (1621/1653) by Sculptors: Giovanni D'Enrico, Giacomo FerroSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Characters of the Old Testament
Chapel of the Coronation of Virgin Mary (of Heaven) (1621/1653) by Sculptors: Giovanni D'Enrico, Giacomo FerroSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Mary is crowned by God Father and Jesus Christ, surrounded by a triumph of angels playing musical instruments
Photo: Luciano Tarricone, Claudio Argentiero, Fabrizio Lava, Angelo Tracanna
Bibliography: Paolo Strobino, Guida alle Cappelle del Sacro Monte di Oropa
