The Sacro Monteof Serralunga di Crea stands on a hill approximately 400 metres above sea
level.
The origin
of the locality is owedto Saint Eusebio, bishop of Vercelli,
and there, around 350 A.C.,
he supposedly carried the wooden statue of the Virgin with the Child and there
he allegedly had a first oratory constructed. Actually, the statue of the
Virgin belongs to the 13th century and little is known as to its
origin.
It was
Arduin, King of Italy, at the beginning of 11th century, to desire
that the place have an outright church, able to receive the ever-increasing
number of pilgrims. From this came the realization of a church of a
reduced-size and a convent for the Augustinian Order.
The
Sanctuary was run in 1468 by the Canonics of Vezzolano, by the Laterans in 1798, by the Servites until to 1801,
from 1820 until 1992 by the Minor Franciscans. It is currently managed by the
Curia of Casale.
On the
baroque style façade a mosaic stands out, it represents Our lady of the
Assumption to whom the church is dedicated.
Inside of
the Sanctuary, a nave and two aisles with pointed arches and cross vaults,
holds important works of art: the Virgin with the Child and Saints, the
autograph table of Macrino d’ Alba(1503);
the cycle of frescoes with the Histories of Santa
Margherita d’ Antiochia (Saint Margaret of Antioch) of the 15th
century.; the effigy of the Virgin, a wooden statue of the 14th century; the immense collection of ex voto; the Stations of the Cross and
the ambos of L. Bagna.
In the
vicinity of the sanctuary, rises the Sacro Monte (SacredMountain).
Built in
1589 by will of Costantino Massimo it
contains twenty-three chapels and five hermitages, inside of which the
Mysteries of the Rosary are narrated.
After a
period of abandonment, due to Napoleonic abolitions, in the course of the 19th
century an intense work of chapel renovation and restoration was carried out
and extended into the 20th century.
Now the
chapels are in all 23, originally they were 15 and were dedicated to the Mysteries of the
Rosary, then other chapels were built and dedicated to the martyrdom of Saint Eusebio and to the life and Glory of our
Virgin Mary. In the hermitages figures of Saints and mystical moments are
portrayed: Saint Luca - Saint Francis - Saint Rocco – Our Mother of Sorrows –
Burial Ground of the Friars.
From Turin (80 km) with SS 31bis, to Trino follow the indications for Asti.
From Asti (25 Km) with SS 475, after Moncalvo follow the indications.
From Genoa (135 Km) with A 26 exit at Casale sud, proceed toward Asti until the little town (frazione) of Madonnina and then follow the indications.
From Milan (102 Km) the A4is recommended, it passes through Briandateon the A 26direction
Alessandria-Genoaand exit at Casale Sud continuing along the state
road Asti.
From Vercelli (37 km) with SS 457 follow the indications Trino-Moncalvo-As
Weekday Masses: 8:00
and 17:00 ( during GMT: 8:00 and 16:00 )
Other moments of prayer:
Every day at 15:00: Holy
Rosary prayer.
On Sunday: after the Holy Rosary Brief Catechism.
At 18:00 (17:00 during months with GMT) Canto del Vespro.
Useful telephone numbers:
Sanctuary 0142.940109
Accommodations Direction 0142.940202
Natural Park 0141.927120
Casa della Gioia ( House of Joy )
0142.940561
Bar del Santuario ( Sanctuary Bar )0142.940106
Restaurant 0142.940108
Porta SEMPRE CON TE
la Pietra della FEDE con Croce incisa