suggestions for italian taylors made itineraries
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WELCOME IN PIEDMONT
SURROUNDED by the
western Alps, France, Switzerland and the sea: Piedmont, acting as a
cross-roads of culture and civilizations, has always been a border
region and a passage between the Mediterranean and Europe.
This is still the case today. Strong traces of Roman civilization
remain, together with French language and culture from the valleys of
the Walser language to the culture of the langue d'oc.
This "road to
Europe", was travelled across by merchant routes, armies and
pilgrims.
The ancient "via Francigena", stretching from Canterbury to
Rome, ran through Piedmont. Abbeys, sanctuaries, and hostels (the
symbol for Susa is the famous Sacra di S. Michele, an abbey
overlooking the valley) flourished along the route.
Religious tradition, still active today, has produced precious architectural and artistic works, from sacred mounts (Varallo, Crea, Orta) to the sanctuaries (Oropa, Vicoforte), cathedrals and basilicas in the main towns.
Art, monuments and religious traditions, but also culture, technology and business enterprise are united in today's Piedmont alongside other attractions offered in an ever-present ambience of hospitality and welcome.
TURIN became the
country's capital city in the second half of the sixteenth century,
when the Dukes of Savoy transferred the Court (and the Holy Shroud) to
this side of the Alps.
Since then, Turin has become a full-fledged European city: a
dynamic, artistic, cultural, political and industrial centre.
The great baroque architects - Castellamonte, Guarini and above all Juvarra - gave Turin its unique and harmonious urban fabric befitting to a capital city, much of which may still be seen today.
It is Guarino Guarini
who built the Royal Chapel of the Holy Shroud. The Chapel is
between the Cathedral and the Royal Palace, and the shroud has been
kept there since 1694.
The historic city centre and the Savoy residences and churches (Stupinigi,
Superga, Venaria, Valentino ... ) provide a fascinating itinerary
to rediscover the important works of European culture and art.
Today, Turin is both an industrial city and a centre for research with institutions such as the Polytechnic and the University. It has the charm of a baroque city alongside modern attractions comprising international exhibitions such as the Motor Show, Book Fair, art and industry exhibitions, and concerts.
But Turin also has its "Saints". In the mid-1800s Don Bosco's Salesians began their work in Valdocco, to then export this torinese "style" to the other continents. During the same period, other great saints of Turin - Cottolengo, Cafasso and Murialdo - founded charities and dedicated their lives to the service of the poor.
Itinerary
of Mary
3
days
1ST DAY 2nd DAY 3rd DAY
In the morning arrival at Turin (train station of Porta Nuova or
Caselle Airport). Transfer to the city centre for lunch. Afternoon
free for sightseeing. Transfer to the hotel; dinner and overnight
stay.
Breakfast and departure to Oropa. Free time for the visit of the
Sanctuary of the Black Lady and Holy Mass. After dinner in restaurant
transfer to the Holy Mount of Varallo. Coming back to the hotel for
dinner. Overnight stay.
Breakfast and departure to Superga. Visit of the Sanctuary and
Holy Mass. Lunch in restaurant and transfer to the train station of
Porta Nuova or to Caselle airport.
On the steps of
Don Bosco
2nd DAY 3rd DAY
3
days
1st DAY
In the morning arrival at Turin (train station of Porta Nuova or
Caselle Airport).Transfer to the city centre for lunch. Afternoon free
for sightseeing. Transfer to the hotel; dinner and overnight stay.
Breakfast and visit of the Basilica of Maria Ausiliatrice. After
the Holy Mass visit of the Complesso di Valdocco, St. Francesco di
Sales' Church. Tranfer to Don Bosco Hill. Lunch in restaurant. Visit
of the "native house" and of the Missionary Museum. Coming
back to the hotel for dinner. Overnight stay.
Breakfast and departure to Superga. Visit of the Sanctuary and
Holy Mass. Lunch in restaurant and transfer to the train station of
Porta Nuova or to Caselle airport.
At the roots of
christianity
5 days
1st DAY 2nd DAY 3rd DAY 4th DAY 5th DAY
In the morning arrival at Turin (train
station of Porta Nuova or Caselle Airport). Transfer to the city
centre for lunch. Afternoon free for sightseeing. Transfer to the
hotel; dinner and overnight stay.
Breakfast and departure to Oropa. Free time for the visit of the
Sanctuary of the Black Lady and Holy Mass. After dinner in restaurant
transfer to the Holy Mount of Varallo. Coming back to the hotel for
dinner. Overnight stay.
Breakfast and departure to Lucedio and visit of St Michele Abbey,
located inside the complex of rural buildings that used to form the
ancient "Principato di Lucedio". After lunch transfer to
Albugnano and visit of the Abbey of Vezzolano (cen. XII) whose
evocative and harmonious cloister is a real oasis of spirituality.
Coming back to the hotel for dinner. Overnight stay.
Breakfast. Departure to Avigliana and stop at Ranverso Abbey,
monument of medioeval art. Then visit of Sacra of SAn MIchele, famous
abbey dedicated since 5th century to the cult of St Michele. Lunch in
restaurant and transfer to Revello for the visit of Staffarda Abbey,
one of the most important monuments of romanic art in Piedmont.
Coming back to the hotel for dinner. Overnight stay.
Breakfast and departure to Superga. Visit of the Sanctuary and
Holy Mass. Lunch in restaurant and transfer to the train station of
Porta Nuova or to Caselle airport.
In search of Mary
5 days
1ST DAY 2nd DAY 3rd DAY 4th DAY
In the morning arrival at Turin (train
station of Porta Nuova or Caselle Airport). Transfer to the city
centre for lunch. Afternoon free for sightseeing. Transfer to the
hotel; dinner and overnight stay.
Breakfast and departure to Oropa. Free time for the visit of the
Sanctuary of the Black Lady and Holy Mass. After dinner in restaurant
transfer to the Holy Mount of Varallo. Coming back to the hotel for
dinner. Overnight stay.
After breakfast departure to the Sanctuary of Vicoforte, dedicated
to the "Regina Montis Regalis". It is an architectural work
of great dimensions whose elliptical cupola is one of the huger in the
world. Lunch in restaurant in Mondovì and short visit of the town.
Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.
Breakfast and departure to Orta San Giulio, on the shore of the
lake. Visit of the Holy Mount with the Sanctuary dedicated to St
Francesco. Lunch in restaurant. In the afternoon transfer to Vercelli
for the visit for St Andrea Abbey, one of the most beautiful monuments
in Italy. Coming back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
5rd DAY
Breakfast and departure to Superga. Visit of the Sanctuary and
Holy Mass. Lunch in restaurant and transfer to the train station of
Porta Nuova or to Caselle airport.
From Rome to Piedmon along the
franconian way
8 days .
1st DAY 2nd DAY 3rd DAY 4th DAY 5th DAY 6th DAY 7th DAY
Arrival to Rome in the morning. In
the afternoon sightseeing on a reserved bus(Ancient Rome: the
historical and monumental centre).
In the morning transfer to Vaticano: visit of the Basilica of St
Pietro and Jubilee celebration. In the afternoon continuation on the
way of the Seven Churches, with the visit of the Basilica of S.Paolo.
In the morning tranfer to Laterano; visit and Jubilee celebration
in the Basilica of S. Giovanni (Cathedral in Rome), the Baptistery and
the Holy Stair. Continuation to the Basilica of S. Croce in Jerusalem
and S. Lorenzo f.m.l. In the afternoon conclusive celebration in the
Basilica of S.ta Maria Maggiore. Transfer to Viterbo.
In the morning visit of the historical and religious centre of
Viterbo (the medioeval quarter of S. Pellegrino, the Palace of the
Popes, the Dome and the Church of S.ta Rosa). In the afternoon,
continuation to Bolsena (the Church of S.ta Cristina and the memory of
the Eucharistical Miracle). Trasfer to Siena.
In the morning guided visit of Siena (The square "Piazza del
Campo", Palazzo Pubblico with the Tower of Mangia, the Dome).
Departure to Lucca. In the morning visit of the historical centre and
of the Dome, where the relic of the "Volto Santo" has been
kept. Transfer to Genova.
In the morning departure to Torino and guided visit of the town (from
the square "Piazza Castello" to Valdocco, along the
historical and religious centre: Palazzo Madama, S. Lorenzo, Palazzo
Reale, the Dome, Porta Palatina). Then departure to Novalesa Abbey,
one of the most important religious and cultural institutions in the
medioeval Piedmont. Visit of the building. Continuation to the Church
of St Michele, landmark for the pilgrims who crossed the Alps.
In the morning departure to the Holy Mount of Varallo and visit of
(44 chapels remembering the drama of Jesus' life, passion, death and
resurrection and leading to the Basilica of Assunta). Continuation to
Orta S. Giulio, on the shore of the lake. Visit of the Holy Mount with
the Sanctuary dedicated to the to St Francesco. In the afternoon
transfer to Oropa for the visit of the Sanctuary dedicated to the
Black Lady.
8th DAY
In the morning visit of Stupinigi and the Savoyard Residence.
Continuation and visit of the Basilica of Superga, dedicated to the
Nativity of Mary
In the afternoon start of the coming back journey
SACRI MONTI
Sacro Monte Calvario "World Heritage" |
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The Riserva Naturale Speciale del Sacro Monte Calvario di Domodossola was established in 1991 with the aim to safeguard the great artistic, historical, architectonic, and naturalistic heritage of the Sacro Monte. The Complex is made of the medieval Castle of Mattarella, the Monastery of the Padri Rosminiani, the Oratory of the Madonna delle Grazie, the Sanctuary of the SS. Crocefisso, and the fifteen chapels of the Via Crucis. |
Riserva del Sacro Monte della SS. Trinità di Ghiffa |
| The Sacro Monte lies in a wonderful position dominating the Lago Maggiore at 360 meters above sea-level. It is an unfinished Baroque complex inspired to the Borromean conception and to the architectural models of the Sacri Monti di Orta e di Varese. The Nature Reserve (about 200 hectares) is situated on the slopes of Mt. Cargiago which are covered with several paths bordered by dry stone walls and some small typical votive chapels. |
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Riserva del Sacro Monte Orta - Monte Mesma - Torre Buccione |
| The Park includes three different areas which share the habitat characterized by the environment and the natural influence of the nearby lake. Situated on the hills dominating the eastern shore of lake Orta, the three protected areas have been established by the Piemonte Region with the aim to safeguard, preserve, and enhance their historical, artistic, and religious heritage, and their environmental and naturalistic features, and to promote the knowledge and the fruition of the area. The Reserves lie in areas covered with woods and are important for the presence of considerable important and charming historical buildings. |
Riserva del Sacro Monte di Varallo |
| It is situated among the green of the forests at
the top of a rocky spur right above Varallo. It is the oldest Sacro
Monte in Piedmont. It is made up of 50 Chapels, some of
which are isolated, while others are part of monumental groups.
They are rich in more than 800 life-size wooden and
multicoloured terracotta statues. They represent the life, the
Passion, and the death of Christ. From this natural terrace
visitors can enjoy a view of the whole area, from Bassa
Valsesia to Monte Fenera. In the North-West it is possible to
see in the background the massif of Mt. RosaThe Sacro Monte
was created by famous architects (G. Alessi, B. Alfieri),
painters, and sculptors (G. Ferrari, Giovanni D'Enrico, Tazio
da Varallo, E. Prestinari, the Tabacchetti, the Morazzone).
The devotional complex was founded in 1491 and it is the
oldest of the Sacri Monti and the most important one from the
artistic and religious point of view. The area lying within the sacred fence is divided into two well-distinct areas. The first is rich in plants and green, and it is organized like a garden dotted by the presence of various chapels. The second area is situated on the top, preceded by the Porta Aurea, and it is made up of small buildings full of porticoes facing the two squares of Tempio (the religious square) and Tribunali (the civil square), in the attempt to repropose the town of Jerusalem. . |
Parco naturale ed area attrezzata del Sacro Monte di Crea |
| The Sacro Monte rises on one of the highest points of the eastern part of the Basso Monferrato in the province of Alessandria, on a hill with very steep slopes made up of easily erosive sedimentary rocks. At an altitude of 355 - 455 m above sea level and with a range of 47 hectares. |
Parchi e Riserve del Canavese Belmonte |
| It includes the special nature reserve of Sacro
Monte di Belmonte, the "riserva naturale
orientata" of the Vauda, and the special nature
reserve of Monti Pelati e Torre Cives.
On the hill dominating Valperga Canavese, near the castle
at its border, there is the monumental church dedicated to San
Giorgio. |
