Sacro Monte di Ossuccio, Religious sanctuary in Tremezzina, Italy
The Sacro Monte di Ossuccio is a pilgrimage site in Tremezzina, on the western shore of Lake Como, with 14 chapels arranged along a rising path through the hillside. The path ends at a sanctuary that looks out over the lake and Comacina Island.
The site dates back to 1537, when construction began on land where a Roman temple had previously stood. The majority of the chapels were built between 1635 and 1710, giving the site the form it has today.
The chapels along the path contain life-size terracotta and stucco figures depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. These figures were made by local craftsmen and give the route a very personal, human quality.
The path up is partly unpaved and takes about an hour to walk at an easy pace. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as the ground can be uneven in places.
The floor of the sanctuary is covered in a pattern of black and white marble tiles laid in 1655. Above the altar hangs a fresco of the Madonna and Child that predates the current building.
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