Sanctuary of Oropa, faith with a panoramic effect
(Santuario di Oropa)
Genre:
culture nature useful information
16 km northwest of Biella, 1200 m. Sl In the heart of the Biellese Alps in the province of the same name stands the imposing silhouette of the Sanctuary of Oropa, the most important Marian complex in the Alps. According to tradition, the origin of the structure dates back to the fourth century by Saint Eusebio, he was the first bishop of Vercelli to guard the Gothic-style wooden statue of the Black Madonna that he had brought with him fleeing the Arian persecution from Palestine where he was to spread the Christian faith. The monumental complex, which is located in a unique and uncontaminated setting, in harmony with the surrounding high mountains, is an intertwining of different architectural styles such as Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical dating back to the various historical periods crossed during its construction and is spread over three terraced squares, placed at different heights in ascending order. At the highest end, at the end of a large staircase, the structure is dominated by the Upper Basilica, of more recent construction. It was built starting from 1885 to accommodate the large number of pilgrims who went to pray at the Sanctuary, with the works that continued through various vicissitudes until the consecration in 1960. Of decidedly neoclassical style, it has a magnificent dome that rises to over 80 meters high. But the heart of the Sanctuary is the smaller Ancient Basilica, located on the right side of the central square. With a late Renaissance style facade, it was built in the 17th century on the site of the ancient church of Santa Maria following the vow made by the city of Biella on the occasion of the plague epidemic of 1599 and houses the effigy inside. of the Madonna. The Oropa complex is a daily destination for hundreds of faithful, tourists and scholars from all over the world who, in addition to direct contact with a historic place of worship, have the opportunity to make a full immersion with the surrounding nature suspended in a panorama breathtaking.
|
|
