The sacred Mount of Oropa - part II

A journey into a sacred landscape made of art, sculpture and nature - Part II

Sacro Monte di Oropa - Chapel of the Annunciation (1659/1720)Santuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa

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

Chapel of the Visitation of S. Elisabetta (1620/1720)Santuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa

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

Chapel of the Birth of N.S.Jesus Christ (1620/1720)Santuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa

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

Chapel of Purification of Mary (1620/1720)Santuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa

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

Chapel of the Wedding at Cana in Galilea (1620/1720)Santuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa

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

Chapel of the Assumption of Mary (1620/1720)Santuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa

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

Chapel of the Coronation of Virgin Mary (of Heaven) (1621/1653)Santuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa

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

Credits: Story

Photo: Luciano Tarricone, Claudio Argentiero, Fabrizio Lava, Angelo Tracanna

Bibliography: Paolo Strobino, Guida alle Cappelle del Sacro Monte di Oropa

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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