Madonna del Sasso Sanctuary

From the slopes of the western shore you can enjoy one of the most suggestive views of Lake Orta. In fact, looking out from the square in front of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso you can observe the landscape in all its beauty.

This Sanctuary was built in the first half of the 18th century on a rocky spur that dominates the entire lake at a glance.

Originally a chapel stood here, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, and following the many graces that occurred, the fame of the place grew and in place of the chapel a first church was built. The current complex was commissioned in 1706 by Pietro Paolo Minola, who, following a grace received, decided to build a new sanctuary.

The church is in Baroque style with two side altars. The architecture and frescoes are the work of the Valsesian painter-architect Lorenzo Peracino. The Sanctuary was completely restored in 1998.

The stonecutters

The Municipality of Madonna del Sasso extends on the top of a granite formation that for decades has been tirelessly worked by the so-called “pica sass”, or stonecutters. In the hamlet of Boleto it is possible to visit the museum dedicated to them. Born from the desire to valorize a profession that, for about two centuries, has characterized this area of ​​the lake, the Stonecutter Museum aims to make known and deepen the historical experiences of life and work of these workers, who worked in dangerous and incredibly tiring conditions, hanging from the rock face and in constant danger of being caught up in unexpected landslides or mudslides.